The hypotheses tested were that (1) an individual-focused stress conditioning program in an occupational setting will produce improved police performance; (2) both physically and psychologically-based stress programs will show greater improvement than the general Hawthorne effect associated with any experimental program; and (3) one of the two approaches (physical or psychological) will present greater improvement than the other. The stress program was conducted in four modes. One mode used a physical approach involving exercise and sports fitness. The second employed a purely psychological approach involving group discussion and training. The third mode consisted of a combination of physical and psychological techniques, and the fourth mode relied on neither a physical or psychological approach but relied exclusively on group spirit, Hawthorne effect, and traditional police leadership to improve performance. The stress reduction program was conducted over 1 year. Participants were assessed on all test variables at the beginning and end of the year. A control group was also used. The testing and comparison of experimental subjects with control subjects did not show improvements in job performance. It appears, therefore, that stress reduction programs are not inherently beneficial without reference to individual need or desire to change. Further, stress reduction should be viewed as a desired end in itself on humanitarian grounds rather than as a means to improve job performance. Tabular data and 19 references are provided.