Sources of Job Stress in Police Work in a Developing Country

Abstract

An attempt was made to determine which job events are perceived as significant sources of stress in police work. The Police Stress Inventory was developed based on the interviews with police staff and experts in police administration for this study. The questionnaire was administered to a random sample of 220 police personnel. The respondents rated the job situations as least stressful (0%) to most stressful (100%). They consider the organizational and social aspects of their job are more stressful especially round the clock duty, lack of time for family, political pressures from outside and inadequate facilities. Results indicate that stress is due more to organisational factors than to physical hazards on the job. Efforts should be made by police administration to take corrective measures such as changes within organization and improving training programs. Efforts should be made by police administration to take corrective measures such as changes within organization and improving training programs.