OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH IN PUBLIC SECURITY: A STUDY ON PHYSICAL PAIN AND EMOTIONAL IMPACTS AMONG POLICE OFFICERS OF COPE-PA

Abstract

This article aimed to analyze the physical and psychological impacts related to penitentiary police work performed by military police officers linked to the Penitentiary Operations Command of Pará (COPE-PA), with emphasis on the relationship between occupational pain and emotional distress. This is a quantitative and qualitative, descriptive and exploratory study, carried out through an electronic questionnaire voluntarily and anonymously answered by 65 military police officers, complemented by bibliographic research. The results showed a high frequency of bodily pain, especially in the lumbar spine, feet, legs, and knees, as well as relevant indicators of anxiety, hypervigilance, and need for psychological support. Only 4.6% reported not feeling pain after duty, while 78.4% lived with moderate, frequent, or intense pain. It is concluded that penitentiary police work involves high physical and emotional demands, requiring permanent policies for prevention, promotion of mental health, and encouragement of self-care, also applicable to other public security agencies.