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1 – 10 of over 12000
Article
Publication date: 30 April 2019

Stephen J. Macdonald and Faye Cosgrove

The purpose of this paper is to explore the experiences of officers/civilians with dyslexia serving in the police service in England and Wales. Although there has been a growing…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the experiences of officers/civilians with dyslexia serving in the police service in England and Wales. Although there has been a growing body of research which has analysed the experiences of offenders and victims with dyslexia, there have been few studies focusing on the experiences of police officers/civilians with this condition. This study employs the social model of disability to conceptualise the experiences of these police officers/civilians from a disability rights perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

This applies a quantitative methodology to analyse data on disabling environments experienced by officers/civilians serving in a police service situated in the North of England. The paper collected data from 56 police employees previously diagnosed with dyslexia.

Findings

The findings reveal that a significant number of officers were reluctant to disclose that they had dyslexia to their police service. The choice to disclose was a key concern for officers/civilians, as this was directly linked to their experiences of stigmatisation, as well as the risk of their competences being questioned at work. The analysis presents evidence that, although officers/civilians have legal protections under the Equality Act 2010 (c15) in the UK, very few had experienced any form of “reasonable adjustment” in the workplace.

Originality/value

Drawing on the social model of disability, the paper concludes that the police service must improve access to reasonable adjustment, for example, through the use of assistive technologies, to create a more inclusive and supportive working environment for their employees.

Details

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: An International Journal, vol. 38 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-7149

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 September 2002

George T. Patterson

A review of the literature suggests that law enforcement agencies adopted a paramilitary model of management based on little empirical evidence supporting the suitability of this…

1304

Abstract

A review of the literature suggests that law enforcement agencies adopted a paramilitary model of management based on little empirical evidence supporting the suitability of this model. Moreover, relatively little is known about the effects of prior military service experience on the work events experienced by police officers. This paper will examine the effects of prior military service experience on exposure to organizational and field work events, and perceptions of stress among these events. The results show that more military experience did not significantly predict fewer organizational work events and lower perceptions of stress, or more field work events and greater perceptions of stress. More years of police experience and section assignment predicted fewer field work events, although perceptions of stress were not significantly lower. These results are discussed, as they compare with salient demographic variables found to influence work stress in police officers.

Details

Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies & Management, vol. 25 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1363-951X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 March 1988

Andrew Kakabadse and Paul Dainty

The personalities, style and job demands of top ranking police officers have never before been seriously analysed. Here, by using a management development survey, key personality…

3917

Abstract

The personalities, style and job demands of top ranking police officers have never before been seriously analysed. Here, by using a management development survey, key personality characteristics and the management and interpersonal styles of top ranking officers are identified. The views of chief officers are discussed, together with an examination of the necessary qualities required. Ways in which senior officers can improve their performance through management training and development and how this can assist their professional growth and development, are emphasised.

Details

Journal of Managerial Psychology, vol. 3 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0268-3946

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 8 March 2011

Don Ivie and Brett Garland

Expanding on earlier research, this paper aims to develop a more complete understanding of military experience as it relates to stress and burnout in law enforcement. The current…

3907

Abstract

Purpose

Expanding on earlier research, this paper aims to develop a more complete understanding of military experience as it relates to stress and burnout in law enforcement. The current study examines whether influences on stress and burnout vary between officers with military experience and officers without a military background.

Design/methodology/approach

Data for this study were obtained from earlier research on police staff at a Northeastern metropolitan city. A combination of analytic methods, including t‐tests and multivariate regression analysis, were used to explore the effects of variables on stress and burnout among military and non‐military officers.

Findings

The results indicate that negative exposures to demanding events influenced burnout for all officers. In contrast, negative exposures affected stress levels for those officers with no military experience. Coping techniques were important predictors of stress and burnout for both groups; however, contrary to expectations, police experience in years was not significant in any model. Demographic controls had no influence on stress and burnout for either group, with the exception of gender, which was a significant predictor of stress only for the non‐military group.

Research limitations/implications

This research has implications for police departments interested in developing group‐based strategies for reducing stress and burnout among officers. The findings are limited in their capacity for wide geographical generalization, however, because this study represents the views of only one department.

Originality/value

In contrast with previous empirical work, the findings here demonstrate that military experience can have a favorable influence on the work outcomes of police officers. This study suggests that officers with military backgrounds are less stressed when faced with demanding situations and that military experience provides female officers with an edge in handling work‐related stressors.

Details

Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies & Management, vol. 34 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1363-951X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 September 2003

Ingemar Karlsson and Sven‐Åke Christianson

Investigates situations that were perceived as stressful by Swedish police officers and the kind of support and help they had received in connection with that. A total of 162…

2428

Abstract

Investigates situations that were perceived as stressful by Swedish police officers and the kind of support and help they had received in connection with that. A total of 162 respondents took part in the study. Results show that most of the traumatic experiences reported by police officers occurred early on in their careers. The traumatic experiences often remained in their memories in the form of visual, tactile, and olfactory sensations. A variety of stress reactions were described in connection with these experiences. As regards ways of working through the traumatic experiences, more than half reported that it helped them to talk about the event with their colleagues. Only a few had been offered debriefing or professional help in connection with the event. A notable finding is that the majority of the officers did not receive any support at all from their superiors in connection with the event.

Details

Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies & Management, vol. 26 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1363-951X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 May 1985

Ron L. Cacioppe and Philip Mock

The predominant psychological type among senior police officers is the extraverted‐sensing‐thinking‐judgement type, pragmatic and practical and thus ideally suited to many aspects…

Abstract

The predominant psychological type among senior police officers is the extraverted‐sensing‐thinking‐judgement type, pragmatic and practical and thus ideally suited to many aspects of police work, according to data presented to 119 Australian senior police officers. The high proportion of extraverted‐thinking‐sensing‐judgement types may explain the common macho‐image of policemen. Low levels of self‐actualisation among police officers may limit honesty, openness, flexibility and concern for the good of the police force and society, as well as contributing to stress, so this aspect must be dealt with.

Details

Leadership & Organization Development Journal, vol. 6 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-7739

Keywords

Content available
Book part
Publication date: 26 March 2024

A. K. Sreedisha and A. Celina

Purpose: A psychiatric illness called burnout is caused by emotional tiredness, cynicism, and a decreased sense of personal accomplishment. For police officers to handle and…

Abstract

Purpose: A psychiatric illness called burnout is caused by emotional tiredness, cynicism, and a decreased sense of personal accomplishment. For police officers to handle and adjust to difficult, stressful, and sometimes traumatic events, resilience or recovery during downtime are considered critical capacities. The study aims to investigate the association between resilience or recovery experiences and job burnout among police officers and to ascertain if recovery experiences during off-job time can lessen the harmful impacts of burnout.

Design/methodology: The data were gathered from police officers in the South zone of Kerala state using a structured questionnaire. The police force may have favourable effects on economic development if it embraces resilience-building concepts and develops into a more resilient enterprise. The study used convenience sampling, and the researchers received 300 responses. Karl Pearson correlation and simple regression analysis are used to test hypotheses.

Findings: Findings suggest an association between burnout and resilience or recovery experience measures during off-job time among police officers in Kerala. It is found that recovery experiences can buffer the adverse effects of job stress and burnout.

Practical implications: The results of this study could guide the design of initiatives and programmes that enhance police officers’ performance and satisfaction while also encouraging their general well-being. To further reduce police burnout, implement a programme that aims to improve occupational stress recovery at the organisational level.

Originality/value: It is crucial to evaluate police officers’ burnout and its relationship to resiliency or recovery in their spare time. This study offers unique insights into certain off-the-job behaviours or activities that link to lower levels of burnout; this information could guide programmes or interventions intended to help police personnel.

Details

The Framework for Resilient Industry: A Holistic Approach for Developing Economies
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-83753-735-8

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 March 1998

Christine Stephens and Ian Miller

Police duties place many officers at risk of traumatic stress and subsequent development of symptoms of post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A survey of 527 New Zealand Police

1945

Abstract

Police duties place many officers at risk of traumatic stress and subsequent development of symptoms of post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A survey of 527 New Zealand Police officers was carried out to investigate the prevalence of PTSD and its relationship with traumatic experiences, both on and off the job. The results showed that the prevalence of PTSD in the New Zealand Police is comparable with that in other civilian populations who have experienced trauma. The number of reported traumatic events was positively correlated with the intensity of PTSD symptoms. Traumatic events experienced while on duty as a police officer were more strongly correlated with PTSD, and chronic experience of the same type of event predicted higher PTSD scores. The results are discussed in terms of implications for police organizations whose members are at risk of multiple traumatic experiences.

Details

Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies & Management, vol. 21 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1363-951X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 26 March 2024

Scott W. Phillips and Tammy Rinehart Kochel

Active shooter incidents have risen considerably in recent years, elevating public and law enforcement focus on improving response to these incidents. The contemporary policy for…

Abstract

Purpose

Active shooter incidents have risen considerably in recent years, elevating public and law enforcement focus on improving response to these incidents. The contemporary policy for reacting to an active shooter event is for the officers who first arrive on the scene to move quickly to engage and neutralize a shooter, prioritizing victim safety and minimizing loss of life. This study provides a preliminary understanding of the police view regarding their role in active shooter events and their experiences with active shooter training.

Design/methodology/approach

We conducted a survey of 413 sworn personnel across three US cities. Analyses examine differences in officers’ training experiences across the agencies and predictors of a sense of duty to prioritize victims’ lives over that of officers.

Findings

Officers’ training experiences differed by agency, yet most officers supported a duty to sacrifice their lives to prioritize victims’ safety during active shooter incidents. Officers with more years of experience have lower odds of supporting a duty to sacrifice their lives to save victims during an active shooter situation relative to less experienced officers. Respondents who recall officer safety among the top three most memorable topics from their recent active shooter training also have lower odds of supporting a duty to sacrifice.

Originality/value

The authors add knowledge about police officersexperiences with active shooter training and officers’ opinions about their role in responding to active shooter incidents. We discuss implications of the findings relative to police culture and training and suggest directions for future research.

Details

Policing: An International Journal, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1363-951X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 June 1997

Larry A. Gould

One of the most consistent complaints from the leaders in minority communities is that police officers are not sufficiently sensitive to differing cultures. In response to this…

2028

Abstract

One of the most consistent complaints from the leaders in minority communities is that police officers are not sufficiently sensitive to differing cultures. In response to this criticism police trainers and administrators are requiring that police officers attend “Cultural Diversity Training.” This research suggests that police officers are somewhat divided in their views of the necessity for cultural diversity training. New recruits, for the most part, tend to be more accepting of the training while experienced officers tend more often to see the training as a waste of time or, worse yet, as an informal form of punishment.

Details

Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies & Management, vol. 20 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1363-951X

Keywords

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