Police and paramedics use dark humor in coping with the death and destruction they deal on a day to day basis, according to researchers at Portsmouth. Dr. Sarah Charman of the University of Portsmouth’s Institute of Criminal Justice Studies has been looking at the role of black humor in the workplace of ambulance crews and police officers. The study has shown that black humor can provide comfort and creates a bond that crosses the occupational divide between emergency services.
“Emergency workers frequently find themselves in unpleasant and unpredictable situations at odds with the heroic status and image presented in television dramas”, Dr. Charman said.
