"If she doesn't work out, I'll just get me another one." Imagine my shock a few years ago upon hearing a state law enforcement officer, (who was not a client), make this brash statement about his FIFTH wife! Now, I realize his statement raises all sorts of issues! But the point I wanted to make here today is about the serious problem of police officers and divorce. Do you agree that, generally, the stress and nature of police work causes more divorces in that profession?
The statistics seem to support this conclusion. According to the Police Dynamics Institute, the divorce rate among police officers is 60-70% higher than for civilians. Also, police officers reportedly have the highest domestic violence rate of any profession.
So, assuming these reports are accurate, what can be done to help combat these problems? First and foremost, I would recommend higher salaries for law enforcement officers. Better pay might help address the financial stressors which affect police officers' marriages. Also, I would suggest that police departments abandon rotating shifts, which might have an impact on some officers' marriages. (Absence doesn't always make the heart grow fonder, does it?!) Finally, more police departments should promote more family-oriented cook-outs and other family get-togethers. This idea doesn't cost a lot and, who knows, it might help save some couples from the clutches of divorce lawyers!
Do you have any other ideas about how to help save more police officer marriages from divorce? No matter what, I suspect we will all agree that there are no solutions to help the state law enforcement officer, (described above), who boasts that "if she doesn't work out, I'll just get me another one!" Some people just don't get it!
