Violence Between the Police and the Public: Influences of Work-Related Stress, Job Satisfaction, Burnout, and Situational Factors

• NCJ Number: 215805
• Journal: Criminal Justice and Behavior Volume: 33 Issue: 5 Dated: October 2006 Pages: 613-645
• Author(s): Patrik Manzoni; Manuel Eisner
• Date Published: October 2006
• Length: 33 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined the relationship between the use of force among police officers in Zurich, Switzerland and perceived work-related stress, job satisfaction, organizational commitment, job burnout, and victimization experiences.

Abstract

Although the initial analyses revealed a significant and positive relationship between the job-related variables and use of force by officers, further multivariate analyses indicated no significant direct effect of job-related or organizational stress on police use of force. Officers’ job profile and victimization experiences were more powerful predictors of police use of force than work-related stress, job dissatisfaction and commitment, and burnout. The findings thus suggest that situational factors rather than job-related stress are more important to understanding police use of force. Participants were 474 police officers in Zurich who completed mailed self-report surveys that focused on their use of force experiences, victimization while on duty, job profile, work-related stress, job satisfaction and commitment, and job burnout. Structural equation models were used to probe the determinants of police use of force. Future research should focus on how police officers continually assess and reassess various situations that ultimately result in the use of force. Figures, table, notes, references