NCJ Number
155469
Journal
Journal of Criminal Justice Volume: 23 Issue: 3 Dated: (1995) Pages: 287-294
Date Published
1995
Length
8 pages
Annotation
Data from 103 police officers in a large police agency in New York State formed the basis of an analysis of sources of police stress.
Abstract
Surveys were distributed through interdepartmental mail; participation was voluntary and confidentiality was protected by the use of check-off responses. The 103 participants represented a 93 percent response rate. A description and mean ranking of organizational and inherent stressors were presented for the total sample as well officers of various ranks, lengths of police service, age, and race. Results indicated that overall, killing someone in the line of duty ranked as the highest stressor. In addition, police officers with 6-10 years of experience reported the highest overall combined stressor mean score. Furthermore, desk sergeants ranked organizational factors as the most intense stressors. Furthermore, officers ages 31-35 reported shift work as the most intense stressor, whereas black police officers reported inadequate support from the department as most stressful. Findings indicated that police management should develop intervention strategies for dealing with organizational stress. Tables and 35 references (Author abstract modified)