Frustrations of Police Chiefs, and How To Solve Them

• NCJ Number: 207092
• Journal: Police Chief Volume: 71 Issue: 8 Dated: August 2004 Pages: 92-94
• Author(s): Bruce L. Benson
• Date Published: August 2004
• Length: 3 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

The author of this article, who has been a police chief himself for over 15 years, reports on the findings of a survey of police chiefs he conducted to determine their most common frustrations, effective methods they use to cope with job pressures, and what could be done to provide more support for them in performing their duties.

Abstract

The survey sample consisted of the police chiefs from 50 large municipal police departments in Michigan, excluding Detroit. Thirty-seven surveys were completed and returned (74-percent response rate). The responding chiefs had an average service as chief of 5.4 years. Although 97 percent of the chiefs felt satisfied about their selection of law enforcement as a career, only 16 percent of the chiefs gave the top rating for satisfaction with their job as police chief. The most discouraging and stressful aspects of their job as chief were indicated to be working in the political environment and dealing with politicians, followed by dealing with negative, resistant problem employees. The most positive aspect of their jobs was having the power to make improvements in the department and in the community; however, they reported that their jobs are dominated by "all-consuming stress and constant responsibility" as well as "excessive demands of the job." Apparently the chiefs are making good choices in their strategies for coping with stress and job pressures. Approximately 60 percent of them reported dealing with stress by exercising regularly; and about 30 percent spend quality time, including "venting" about job pressures, with spouses and other family members. Some suggestions that stem from the survey findings are police executive training that focuses on identified sources of frustration and stress; organizational and legislative efforts to improve police-chief job security; and more extensive research on police chief leadership and job-related needs. 5 notes