The stress experiences of community police personnel : a descriptive study
Literature repeatedly indicates that stress and burnout constitute a serious problem in the police profession. This study endeavours to identify and describe the stress experiences of community police personnel and in so doing, to gain a deeper and clearer insight into the complex process of stress and burnout in a presently fast changing South African safety and security milieu. A biographical questionnaire as well as a semi-structured questionnaire was used in this research study, which followed a qualitative route. In-depth interviews were held with seven community police officers in the Port Elizabeth region, Eastern Cape. Six of these police officers were from urban areas and one was from a rural area. Content analysis revealed that various stressors, stress reactions, coping mechanisms and support sources as well as various degrees of self-esteem and burnout were manifested. The distinction and relationship between burnout and stress was also considered. In addition, emphasis was placed on biographical variables that play a role in the manifestation of stress among policemen. Each police officer's individual degree of stress experienced was related to a unique process in terms of the identified variables. An integrated description on their stress experiences was also presented in order to show both their uniqueness and similarities. Community policing as a general field of application is sorely under-researched in South Africa. Prior to the present study, no studies had been undertaken to specifically describe the stress process of police personnel in their new role as community policing officers. It has become clear that further research in this regard is required to bring about a deeper understanding of the stress experiences of community police personnel. A greater premium should be placed on all the persons involved in this area of research to address the problem of stress among the police profession and thus find solutions. The objective being to secure a greater safety for future generations and provide more support to the police.
Stress at work, Stress and burnout, Stress experiences of community police personnel
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