THIS THREE-PART FILM SERIES IS DESIGNED TO FOCUS THE ATTENTION OF BOTH PRE-SERVICE AND IN-SERVICE POLICE PERSONNEL ON SOME OF THE MAJOR SOURCES OF STRESS IN THEIR PROFESSION. IN ADDITION, THE FILMS ARE INTENDED TO SERVE AS A CATALYST STIMULATING GROUP DISCUSSION OF THE WIDE VARIETY OF STRESS SITUATIONS WHICH COMMONLY ARISE THE COURSE OF ROUTINE PATROL WORK. AS A RESULT OF VIEWING THE SERIES, OFFICERS WILL HAVE BOTH A GREATER AWARENESS OF THE SOURCES OF STRESS, AND THE ABILITY TO CRITICALLY EXAMINE THE VARIOUS POSSIBLE WAYS OF DEALING WITH THE FRUSTRATIONS CREATED BY THESE STRESSES. THIS FILM, THE FIRST IN THE SERIES, PROVIDES A BROAD OVERVIEW OF THE SUBJECT OF STRESS IN POLICING. THIS IS DONE BY SHOWING A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, AND INTERPERSONAL STRESSES ENCOUNTERED BY PATROL OFFICERS. THE SITUATIONS SHOWN INCLUDE AN OFFICER HEART ATTACK BROUGHT ON BY A DOMESTIC DISTURBANCE, TENSIONS CAUSED BY THE ANTICIPATION OF PHYSICAL DANGER, PUBLIC HOSTILITY AND VERBAL ABUSE FROM 'LAW-ABIDING' CITIZENS OVER TRAFFIC AND PARKING CITATIONS, AND PRESSURE TO MAKE AN ON-THE-SPOT DECISION IN A HOSTAGE SITUATION. ALL SCENES ARE BASED ON ACTUAL PROBLEM SITUATIONS RECREATED BY POLICE OFFICERS FOR TRAINING PURPOSES. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS ARE INCLUDED FOR EACH FILM TO ASSIST INSTRUCTORS OR GROUP LEADERS TO STIMULATE DISCUSSION OF INDIVIDUAL STRESS PROBLEMS. FOR THE OTHER TWO FILMS IN THE SERIES, SEE NCJ-38483 AND 84. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)