Cultivating well-being among police officers : examining challenges in the workplace

This research was founded on the recognition of the serious individual and organizational toll occupational stress has on the New South Wales Police Force (NSWPF), Australia. On any given workday, around 12% of the workforce is unable to be deployed, with psychological injuries being the primary factor. Moreover, the impact of stress appears to be cumulative, with few police officers retiring in the usual way; most exit the organization on medical leave due to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Despite efforts to address the issue of police stress, it remains a critical issue for the NSW Police Force. This chapter presents findings from a qualitative study commissioned by NSWPF. Researchers visited two local area commands (LACs) in NSW with a view to interviewing officers of various ranks and roles within the organization and with varying lengths of tenure. These interviews included new recruits, as well as much longer-serving officers. Interviews were conducted in a city and a regional LAC. The chapter concludes by considering the implications for both policy and practice.