This article discusses the fact that for some people the use of a weapon may be experienced as a catastrophe, unexpected and exceptionally emotionally disturbing and can lead to a state of pathological psychiatric trauma. Also, the political, media, and institutional repercussions on the work of a police officer are reviewed. It is noted that stress can be positive as a fundamental feature of their work enabling them to carry out difficult assignments. However, the negative aspects of excess stress leading to the use of a weapon should be viewed as a critical event and treated as a priority matter.