Over the years, minority officers seem to be as self-assured as white officers, regardless of feeling _____ rates of job-related stress and strain stemming from general police stressors.

The assertion that minority officers are as self-assured as their white counterparts highlights an important aspect of workplace dynamics and personal resilience in high-stress environments like law enforcement. The phrase "feeling ___ rates of job-related stress and strain" suggests that there is an experience of stress that can be measured and compared. When the answer is identified as "similar," it indicates that minority officers experience stress levels that are comparable to those faced by white officers.

This understanding reflects a reality where both groups face the same types of stressors inherent in police work, such as violent encounters, public scrutiny, and long hours, yet the confidence or self-assurance does not diminish despite experiencing these stressors similarly. Therefore, by recognizing that the rates of job-related stress are similar, it reinforces the notion that both groups, regardless of their background, are navigating the same challenges and developing comparable coping mechanisms or support systems which contribute to their self-assurance in their roles as police officers.

In contrast, the other options suggest differing levels of stress that could imply a disparity in experience between minority and white officers, which may not accurately portray the realities of shared challenges in policing.