Individuals choose to be employed as protective-services officers so they can help people victimized by some of the most shattering events that life can bring. Being exposed to and involved in these events can be physically and psychologically threatening for these officers and can result in PTSD; however, whether or not PTSD develops depends on a number of factors that increase vulnerability to PTSD. These factors are related to the event itself, personal factors that bring differential individual responses to the event, and organizational factors that influence the individual's response. Risk management identifies the factors that make individuals vulnerable to PTSD and then determines which factors can be controlled and/or changed to reduce the risk of PTSD. Protective services are typically provided by teams of officers who support one another, not only in performing their services efficiently and effectively, but in order to provide support for and to reduce the danger for team members. Preparing officers to perform their jobs as safely as possible is the task of the organization. This, in turn, reduces vulnerability to traumatic stress. The organization is also responsible for building constructive relationships between managers and frontline officers such that officers are provided every resource and support necessary to cope with the challenges in the field. This fosters community and trust within the organization, and provides a protective mechanism that can mitigate negative officer responses and outcomes that can result from involvement in traumatic events. 2 figures and 19 references