Emotional intelligence of members of the Police of the Czech Republic and of the general population: Selected demographic characteristics

Abstract

Objectives. The study focuses on the emotional intelligence (hereafter „EI“) of members of the Police of the Czech Republic and on its differences according to the selected demographic characteristics (gender, age and education). The outcomes are subsequently compared with the results of general population. Sample and setting. The research sample comprised 531 adult respondents (222 police officers and 309 members of general population). SEIS self-description questionnaire and anamnestic questionnaire were used to measure selected variables. Hypotheses. The authors assumed that the police officers would show a higher level of overall EI and particular EI factors than the general population. A higher level of overall EI would occur in female, higher age, and higher education groups – for both police members and the general population. Statistical analysis. The analysis of the data was focused on the determination of the factors forming EI by exploratory factor analysis, non-parametric tests were used to verify the hypotheses. Results. There was no statistically significant difference found between the police officers and the common population in total EI, only in particular EI factors. While no difference between gender, age, or education groups and overall EI was indicated among the police officers, significant differences between all variables were revealed among the general population. When dividing the sample according to gender and type, statistically significant differences were found with the men from the general population scoring the lowest compared to the highest score of policewomen. Study limitation. Given the sampling method, caution must be exercised to generalise the findings. A self-description method was used to measure EI.