NCJ Number
118652
Journal
Police Journal Volume: 61 Issue: 2 Dated: (April-June 1989) Pages: 151-154
Editor(s)
R W Stone
Date Published
1989
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article reports on a study of perceptions of stress in a sample of 206 British police officers.
Abstract
Data were collected and analyzed according to sex, age, and length of experience. An analysis investigated possible relationships between the biographical subgroups and the stress levels experienced. Male officers reported higher stress levels than their female colleagues, and officers between 30 and 40 years old reported the highest stress levels among the age groups, with officers over 50 years old reporting the least stress. The factor perceived as causing the most stress among the sample of officers was the "apparent leniency of the courts." Other perceptions of stress sources according to their rank order were lack of proper appreciation by the community; risks of making errors; prejudice, fear, and hostility toward police; shift work; reprimands from superiors; unsociable hours; and court appearances in off-duty hours. A total of 32.4 percent of the sample found their work appreciably or extremely stressful. More community work might help police reduce their perceptions of being unappreciated by the community, and public education about the police role could help reduce the feeling of "social isolation" reported by some officers. Senior officers could be trained to recognize stress symptoms in their subordinates and help them find relief at an early stage. 1 figure, 7-item bibliography.