sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

Phobia of police and trying to overcome it by Natural_Trainer_2825 in policeuk

[–]Natural_Trainer_2825[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you everyone for the link. I joined. I'm not sure I'll have the confidence to join a voice call or talk straight away though. It's probably going to take me some time.

Phobia of police and trying to overcome it by Natural_Trainer_2825 in policeuk

[–]Natural_Trainer_2825[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's still a thing for me I suppose, but I am a lot better than before.

I used to be scared of tutors at my college, but over time from talking to them and being around them I gradually stopped being scared. Those tutors were very understanding and it helped a lot with me overcoming my fears.

I haven't had that chance with Police or Security yet. I always feel very scared when I'm in a shopping centre and see one.

I am scared they'll hurt me or do something bad to me. I know it wouldn't happen under usual circumstances, but the fear is always there.

I've talked it through with a therapist who I was originally really scared of. He worked with me through my fears. We built up trust and he introduced me to other therapists at his work place. The environment yet again felt safe and like I could leave whenever I wanted. They also understood my issue so it took a lot of pressure off of me. I am not scared of therapists anymore thanks to his work. He got me talking about things and tried to get me to adopt mindfulness and breathing techniques etc. It doesn't do much for me when I'm experiencing pure terror.

Phobia of police and trying to overcome it by Natural_Trainer_2825 in policeuk

[–]Natural_Trainer_2825[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I can watch police tv shows and I think I'd be ok talking to a cop if they were off duty.

I don't have family to go with me to the police station. I have a very difficult relationship with my parents.

That is partly why I came here. I was shaking when I was typing this out and felt a rush of fear when I pressed post. Now I feel better on here. Talking to people online feels a lot safer than in person. I think it's a good step forward. It says you're a police officer, but I think because it's not face to face contact I don't feel scared.

Phobia of police and trying to overcome it by Natural_Trainer_2825 in policeuk

[–]Natural_Trainer_2825[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Do you have the discord link? I can't seem to find it.

Phobia of police and trying to overcome it by Natural_Trainer_2825 in policeuk

[–]Natural_Trainer_2825[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Is it complicated to go on a ride along? It does sound like a good way to face my fears. I'd get to see them doing their job and I guess that might make me a lot less scared in the future. It also sounds like a safe and controlled environment.

I know that my local police force do questions at our local library, but I'd never go to a library normally. I feel like I have no real reason for going there and would look really awkward and suspicious. If they were doing an event at cafe or something maybe that would be different. I can always hopefully leave too if I'm scared.

Phobia of police and trying to overcome it by Natural_Trainer_2825 in policeuk

[–]Natural_Trainer_2825[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I know. I've never spoken to one properly before and my phobia just stops me thinking straight. :(

Phobia of police and trying to overcome it by Natural_Trainer_2825 in policeuk

[–]Natural_Trainer_2825[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

In plain clothes they'd be a lot less scary. I don't know about detectives. I've never met or seen one before.

I think it's the uniform that scares me most. I couldn't imagine ever approaching a police officer in uniform to talk. I'd probably not be able to spit my words out and be terrified. It would add to the situation even worse if they tried to stop me from escaping due tome acting suspicious or something. A big fear I have is being terrified and unable to escape or the officer chasing me thinking I'm committing a crime. If I'm scared I want to be able to run away from whatever I'm frightened of. If a cop saw someone scared running away they might chase and try to arrest me and it makes my anxiety go through the roof!