EVIDENCE OF INCREASING UNRELIEVED TENSION IN POLICE OFFICERS INCLUDES ABRUPT CHANGE IN TYPICAL BEHAVIORAL PATTERNS, RAPID MOOD CHANGE, SUSPICIOUSNESS, EXCESSIVE USE OF ALCOHOL OR OVEREATING, HOSTILITY, DEFENSIVENESS, RECKLESSNESS, DECREASE IN WORK PERFORMANCE, AND BODILY AND SEXUAL DYSFUCTION. SUPERVISORS OFTEN IGNORE THESE PROBLEMS OR HIDE, TRANSFER, FIRE, OR RETIRE THE OFFICER ON DISABILITY. SOME SUPERVISORS HAVE ATTEMPTED TO REHABILITATE OFFICERS THROUGH DEPARTMENTAL SERVICES. THIS APPROACH IS RECOMMENDED AND SHOULD INCLUDE HONEST AND OPEN DISCUSSIONS BETWEEN THE SUPERVISOR AND EMPLOYEE, PROVISION OF A VARIETY OF SERVICES, AND ESTABLISHMENT OF AN OVERALL ORGANIZATIONAL ATTITUDE OF SUPPORT AND UNDERSTANDING FOR OFFICERS SUFFERING FROM STRESS. STRESS REDUCTION ACTIVITIES COULD BE ENCOURAGED BY THE DEPARTMENT SUCH AS PHYSICAL EXERCISE, ATTENTION TO PROPER DIET, AND DEVELOPMENT OF SELF-AWARENESS AND RELAXATION TECHNIQUES. ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT SHOULD PROVIDE COUNSELING SERVICES, SPOUSE PROGRAMS, AND ALCOHOL REHABILITATION SERVICES. POLICE TRAINING CURRICULUMS SHOULD COVER STRESS-REDUCTION METHODS, UNDERSTANDING OF THE PROBLEM AND ITS EFFECTS, AND TECHNIQUES FOR COPING WITH MARITAL PROBLEMS THAT ARISE IN POLICE WORK. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. SEE NCJ-53231 FOR THE FIRST PART OF THE ARTICLE. (DAG)