The study was based on survey data from two large police departments in the northwestern United States. Findings suggest the utility of the behavioral school of management with respect to understanding the sources of stress among police officers. This school argues that individuals have developmental and maturation needs and expectations that should be accorded central consideration in a formal organizational setting. Structural characteristics and management practices associated with bureaucracy in police agencies have an adverse impact on officer stress. The study also concluded that enhancement of an officer's educational level tended to increase his level of stress. Stress levels among male police officers are close to those for American adult males generally. The study uncovered a wide variety of human psychological and physical responses to stress. The explanatory power of variables differs in predicting each dimension of stress and the study recommends a multidimensional approach to the study of police stress in future research. Tables, appendixes, notes, references