Occupational stress and coping strategies of police inspectors within the Malta Police Force

Abstract

The main objectives of this study are to explore in-depth and identify the stressors related to the daily tasks of police inspectors, and how these members try to cope with stress. To carry out this research, two different but interrelated hypotheses are addressed. These are based on the perception that members of the Malta Police Force in the rank of inspectors are suffering from occupational stress, and that the same inspectors are not making use of the correct strategies to successfully cope with stress. To complete this study, a qualitative method was used as it involves a social aspect, and this method is regarded to be the most adequate. Research was conducted through one-to-one semi structured interviews which were audio-recorded and later transcribed verbatim with ten police inspectors. These were two females and eight males and were selected from different sections/branches and divisions to have a representative sample of police inspectors coming from different fields of expertise. This study brings into light the main perceptions of occupational stress and the coping strategies of police inspectors during their day-to-day work, and away from the office. From the findings, all the participants suffer from stress emanating from their occupation, mainly caused by organizational rather than operational stressors. However, the participants are all knowledgeable of good coping strategies and practice them when they have available time.