Anyone who has witnessed a crime, been in a road accident or been the target of verbal or physical violence will attest to how the trauma of the experience can live with them for a long time.
Imagine then seeing and being present for the consequences of all these situations and more, sometimes all in one day?
Police officers have to harden themselves to the often difficult situations they are placed in.
They have to stay cool and take command when others are going to pieces.
The cumulative effect is bound to cause a strain.
There are different ways of coping with that sort of stress, including sharing the experience, which has until now been denied to officers.
An agreement between Police Scotland and the Crown Office will now allow those who have been assaulted on duty to give victim impact information to courts.
Officers will be able to state on the record the impact the violence has had on them.
This will also provide a platform to highlight how unacceptable violence is against public servants, particularly those who put their safety on the line for us each day they don a uniform.
We owe it to the police to treat officers with the respect they deserve, and remember how difficult a task it can be to keep the public safe.
Anything that helps the Thin Blue Line deal with the pressures of the job is a welcome move.
Great news... if Scotland can win
Scotland’s men’s football team face a couple of huge hurdles to qualify for our first World Cup finals in 24 years.
If the delayed semi-final against Ukraine goes well, Steve Clarke’s men will have to negotiate a play-off final.
As far as one-off games go, it does not get any bigger, with the prize being a place at the top table of international football for the first time in a generation.
Sky Sports announced yesterday that it will show the play-off final for free if Scotland make it, giving everyone a chance to share in the excitement.
We welcome the move by the broadcaster, which said the tie could be a “moment of national importance”.
We could all do with the boost of seeing the national team back on the world’s biggest stage, so making such a significant match accessible to all is the right decision.
First, though we have to get there. Over to you, Steve.
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