A basic stress course should teach control over much of one's life and should emphasize the challenges as well as the dangers of stress. Beginning with a general introduction to stress theory, the course should cover external causes of police stress, such as courts, the political atmosphere, the police role, and especially factors that offer the chance of some control such as the police organization and officers' personality traits. Stress prevention should be emphasized; officers should be taught how to recognize symptoms in themselves of maladaptive stress and how to deal with it. Teaching methods include lectures, films, discussions, and role playing. Courses for police commanders should focus on diagnostic tools and sources of help when stress problems arise in the department, emphasize supervisory styles promoting efficiency and stress management, and cover stress experienced by commanders. First-line supervisors should have stress management integrated into supervisory methods courses as well as receiving special stress management courses. Their study should cover how to teach good coping methods, supervision techniques that reduce stress, types of stress causing acute reactions in officers, and the stresses of supervision. Course material is also suggested for high-stress assignments, patrol officers, recruits, and police families. Footnotes are included.