Nicolien Kop

Burnout, job stress and violent behaviour among Dutch police officers

Much has been published on burnout in the human services. However, despite the extensive literature on job stress in policing, burnout in police officers has rarely been studied. The present study examined stressors in police work, focusing specifically on the lack of reciprocity that officers experience in relations with civilians, colleagues and the police service. It also investigated the relationship between burnout and the attitudes of officers towards violence, as well as to their own use of violence. Dutch police officers (N = 358) completed a self-report questionnaire. The results showed that: (1) organizational stressors were more prevalent than task-related stressors; (2) compared to other service jobs, police officers report a particular profile on the three scales of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI)?a relatively low level of emotional exhaustion,an average level of depersonalization, and a high level of personal accomplishment; (3) burnout is associated with a lack of reciprocity between in...

The behaviour of police officers in conflict situations: how burnout and reduced dominance contribute to better outcomes

Dominance plays an important part in police-civilian interactions. However, burnout is associated with a reduction in dominance, and this might, paradoxically, lead to more effective outcomes in conflict situations. There is a lack of knowledge about the effects of burnout in professional practice, and this multi-method study was conducted to better understand these dynamics. It is unique in that it combined self-reported burnout with observed behaviour in interactions with civilians. In this study, the relationships between the imbalance between demands and rewards, occupational burnout and police officers’ behaviour in conflict situations (in terms of dominance and effectiveness) were examined. A questionnaire was used to assess job demands, rewards and burnout among 358 Dutch police officers. In addition, police officers’ interactions with civilians were observed over 122 days. The results of structural equation modelling analyses showed that the imbalance between job demands and rewards was predictive of burnout (emotional exhaustion and depersonalization). Burnout, in its turn, predicted a decrease in dominant behaviour in conflict situations and, consequently, more effective conflict outcomes. These findings show that reduced dominance associated with burnout could in fact have positive consequences for professional behaviour in conflict situations. The benefits of reduced dominance in these situations should be taken into account in the training of professionals.

Mental Resilience of Crime Scene Investigators: How Police Officers Perceive and Cope With the Impact of Demanding Work Situations:

This study provides an in-depth analysis of the resilience of crime scene investigators (CSIs) in the Netherlands and how they perceive and cope with daily work stressors. Observational studies within five CSI teams and 35 semistructured interviews with investigators revealed that administrative accumulation, long and irregular working hours, confrontations with human suffering, decision making, and dirty and physically demanding circumstances at the crime scene can be very stressful. By employing strict management of thoughts, visualization, focus on sensemaking, sharing of emotions and responsibilities, and avoiding potentially distressing working situations, CSIs overcome the strain of forensic investigations. However, successful implementation of these resilience-enhancing strategies depends on the availability of several individual, team, and organizational resources. To reduce the risk of health problems and to stimulate positive functioning, these resources require permanent investment by police management and CSIs themselves.

Overnachten in een politiecel: Een onderzoek naar het psychisch welzijn en slaapproblemen van verdachten

In dit onderzoek werd de invloed van de omgeving van een politiecellencomplex op het psychologisch welzijn en slaapproblemen van verdachten onderzocht. Resultaten tonen aan dat verdachten in een politiecel een verminderd psychologisch welzijn ervaren, dat zij slechter slapen, en dat een verminderd psychisch welzijn is gerelateerd aan slaapproblemen. Consequenties van het verblijf in politiecellencomplexen voor het psychisch welzijn en de slaapproblemen van verdachten, alsmede richtingen voor verder onderzoek naar omstandigheden in politiecellencomplexen, worden besproken.

Identifying psychological vulnerabilities : Studies on police suspects' mental health issues and police officers' views

Abstract Psychological vulnerabilities in police suspects may interfere with the demands of police interrogations, and thereby increase the risk of an unreliable statement, or even a false confession. This study examined: (1) the prevalence of a number of psychological vulnerabilities in police arrestees, and (2) the views of police officers on identifying vulnerable suspects. Both have not been studied previously in the Dutch context. Psychological assessments of a sample of police suspects (N = 149) showed that about 60% rated positive on a mental health screen, and, compared to the general Dutch population, levels of psychopathology, depression, anxiety, stress and interrogative suggestibility were significantly higher. In a second study in police detectives (N = 103), 55% stated that they had not interrogated a vulnerable suspect within the previous 12-month period, and again 55% mentioned that they did not take any special precautions when interrogating vulnerable suspects. Forty-two per cent of police detectives took precautions when interrogating vulnerable suspects, such as consulting their supervisor, a police psychologist, the public prosecutor or a specialised police interrogator. The two studies together indicate that police officers seriously underestimate the base rate of psychological vulnerabilities among suspects. Implications for police interrogation training and supervision are provided.