Which of the following is a personal source of stress for law enforcement officers?

The correct answer highlights the aspect of nervousness about protecting the public as a personal source of stress for law enforcement officers. This stress is deeply tied to the inherent responsibilities of the profession, where officers frequently face life-and-death situations and the expectation to maintain public safety. Such pressure can lead to significant anxiety, especially when officers feel directly responsible for the outcomes of their actions in potentially dangerous scenarios. This kind of stress stems from internal perceptions and the emotional burden of the job, making it distinctly personal in nature compared to other factors that might also induce stress.

In contrast, aspects like shift work, role conflict, and negative media coverage, while certainly stressors for law enforcement, can be viewed as external environmental influences rather than deeply personal feelings or anxieties regarding individual capabilities or responsibilities. These factors may affect officers' work-life balance or professional identity but do not encapsulate the personal emotional strain surrounding the direct protection of the public that officers experience.