Stress management in high-risk operations is a critical challenge for police officers and other members of State Security Forces (FCSE). In situations where lives may be at risk, staying calm and making the right decisions are essential.
Want to learn more? Throughout this article, we’ll share all the key insights and some of the most effective strategies for handling stress in extreme situations.
Let’s get started!
Why Is Managing Stress in Critical Situations Important?
High-risk operations—such as armed interventions, rescues in dangerous environments, riot control, or terrorist attacks—place immense pressure on agents. Prolonged stress can result in physical and mental consequences, including fatigue, anxiety, insomnia, or even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
This stress also directly impacts operational performance, making it more challenging to make quick and effective decisions.
In the October 2015 issue of the magazine Occupational Health and Safety, dedicated to stress in the police field, various studies shed light on this issue. One such study, conducted in 2008 at the request of the Confederation of Local Security—an organization representing local police unions in Spain—revealed that 65% of officers experience stress, while 50% suffer from sleep problems.
But there’s more. Since the 1960s, various studies have highlighted that the policing profession shows elevated levels of health indicators related to stress: alcohol consumption, digestive and heart disorders, suicides, and negative emotional states, among others.
A particularly illustrative example was the 11-M case in Spain. The terrorist attacks in Madrid in 2004 affected not only the direct victims but also the emergency teams, including police officers. Years later, some of these officers exhibited symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) similar to those experienced by individuals who were on the trains where the explosions occurred, such as flashbacks, intrusive images, or avoidance behaviors.

Key Strategies for Managing Stress in High-Risk Operations
Managing stress in high-risk operations is essential to protect the mental and physical health of agents, as well as to ensure efficient performance in critical situations. Strategies like the ones we’ll explore below can make a significant difference by improving preparedness and response capacity in contexts of heightened pressure.
Preventive Psychological Training
This is a key aspect in helping professionals anticipate and manage the extreme challenges associated with their work. It enables them to effectively handle complex situations that could generate significant levels of stress and emotional strain.
Tactical Breathing Techniques
Breathing control is a powerful tool for reducing anxiety in moments of high tension. Methods such as diaphragmatic breathing help stabilize the heart rate and regain focus, promoting a state of calmness and improving reaction capacity.
Early Stress Management
Training agents to identify the early signs of stress and providing them with practical tools is highly useful for mitigating its effects. In this regard, the techniques to implement may include:
- General: Focused on strengthening personal resources to cope with stress, such as maintaining a regular exercise routine or following a balanced diet.
- Cognitive: Aimed at transforming the way situations are perceived and evaluated, correcting negative or erroneous interpretations, and promoting a positive and optimistic mindset.
- Physiological: Designed to reduce physical activation and alleviate the physical and emotional discomfort caused by stress. These include methods such as muscle relaxation, meditation, and other practices that promote mental and physical balance.
- Behavioral: Focused on encouraging adaptive behaviors through strategies and practical skills that facilitate coping with different situations. Some of the most common include problem-solving and conflict resolution, or self-control.
Ongoing Training in Skills and Emotions
Constant training not only enhances the technical competence of professionals but also strengthens their emotional intelligence, a key factor in managing stress in challenging environments. This type of training allows them to gain confidence in their abilities, reduce uncertainty, and maintain greater control during the execution of their tasks.
Team Support and Effective Communication
Stress is significantly reduced when agents know they can rely on their team. Encouraging open and effective communication during operations strengthens cohesion and minimizes the risk of mistakes due to lack of information or misunderstandings.
Stress Management in High-Risk Operations: Final Conclusions
Proper stress management in high-risk operations is a crucial component for the success of missions and the well-being of agents. Through strategies such as psychological training, relaxation techniques, and strong organizational support, police officers and other members of the Security Forces can face the most demanding challenges with greater security and confidence. Protecting those who protect us is not only a responsibility but also an investment in the effectiveness and safety of society as a whole.
References
- Seguridad y Salud en el Trabajo (2015) [text in spanish]. 14 January 2025, at: URL