NCJ Number
80398
Journal
Police Review Volume: 89 Issue: 4634 Dated: (November 27, 1981) Pages: 2308-2312
Editor(s)
B Barber
Date Published
1981
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This second of a four-part series on stress in the British police service examines stress differences on job items according to rank, department, and sex.
Abstract
Stress differences on job items are analyzed in the ranks of sergeant, inspector, chief inspector, superintendent, and chief superintendent. Stress is compared between the ranks on the following job items: (1) required to perform tasks without the necessary resources, (2) instability resulting from constant changes in supervisory personnel, (3) being subjected to 'character assassination' when giving evidence at court, (4) being required to work in an unfamiliar environment, and (5) preparation for and attendance at a promotion board. Also included were such factors as lack of cooperation between departments; job knowledge, skills, and experience not being fully used; perceiving that the operation of the unit beat policing system has adversely affected police public relations and being given tasks by supervisors which conflict with other duties to be performed. In addition, potential judicial criticism of case presentation or police action and feelings of remoteness from decisionmaking centers were part of the job items. The departments (Traffic, Criminal Investigation, Administration, and Uniform) are compared according to job items deemed relevant to departmental operations. A comparison of stress associated with various job items according to the sex of the officers shows that male respondents on the average have more stress on each job item than do females. Tabular data are provided. For Part 1 of the article, see NCJ 80397.