Occupational Stress and the Use of Force by Dutch Police Officers

• NCJ Number: 191722
• Journal: Criminal Justice and Behavior Volume: 28 Issue: 5 Dated: October 2001 Pages: 631-652
• Author(s): Nicolien Kop; Martin C. Euwema
• Date Published: October 2001
• Length: 22 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article presents a study on the use of force by Dutch police officers.

Abstract

This study addresses the characteristics of Dutch police work and the stressful aspects of this work; the assessment of levels of burnout in terms of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment; and the conclusion that burnout is related to the use of force by police officers. Data were collected through participant observation during 122 patrol shifts and by a questionnaire distributed to police officers. As expected, police officers mentioned organizational aspects as being more stressful than the content of police work. Poor management, reorganizations, bureaucratic interference, administration, shift work, bureaucracy, and unmotivated colleagues were frequently mentioned as stressors. Dutch officers spend a great amount of time on administrative duties. Police managers and policy makers concerned with organizational stress should be aware of the importance of the work environment. Too often, external factors such as lack of public respect, lack of resources, or public violence are cited as the causes of stress among police officers. This study questions these popular assumptions and shifts the focus of attention to organizational issues that can be readily addressed by management. The level of emotional exhaustion among police officers is considerably lower than the level reported for the reference group. The level of depersonalization is similar, whereas the average personal accomplishment is slightly higher than in the reference group. It is the personal characteristics of the police officer that determine the use of forceful behavior. All observed force was conducted by officers scoring high on emotional exhaustion and depersonalization. Intentions favoring the use of force and the self-reported use of force were clearly related to depersonalization. Officers who are cynical and detached were more readily inclined to use force against civilians. The cultural context of this study is a limitation and should be addressed. Appendix, 33 references