Well, I think that's worth looking at. I'm very interested in the work of people like Grossman and Christensen and in the psycho/physiological course of stress and the way it doesn't fit with the 24 hour duty cycle, marriage, parenting, and so forth.
Sure, some fraction of the cop pool is emotionally unfit for matrimony -- as is some fraction of the public at large. But whether you like cops or not, it's hard to make the case that the job isn't unusually stressful, and that stress is going to have consequences.
My impression is suicide is higher among cops than among the general population.
If there's something to this, then I think it's hard to determine what just compensation for being an LEO would be.
But whatever it would be, it is the case that people generally don't get what the cop business is about, what it's like, and how much good policing would cost.
I think it's a problem not to be tossed aside with a few glib remarks. Sorry to get all preachy, but since I was an LEO, albeit only a reserve, and a chaplain for LEOs it's a problem I'll take with me to my grave. We have ou, share of jerks, any group does, but around here most of our cops are good folks, and I am proud that they allowed me to minister to them, and their predicament touched my heart.
The ex wives of cops would tell you it’s more to do with them becoming drunk on power and promiscuous behavior than with workplace stress.
Most of the buddies of mine that are in some kind of law inforcement position are not divorced. I can only think of two of them that are divorced. And only one of those could be blamed for his divorce. But i’ve heard quite a few of their stories about co workers.