Emotional labour and burnout among police officers

Benjamin Hopkins*, David Dowell, Joe Flitton

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

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Abstract

Purpose: With rare research access to the police service in the United Kingdom, the authors investigate levels of burnout and the performance of emotional labour.

Design/methodology/approach: Using 330 surveys completed by serving police officers, the authors investigate levels of burnout and also the performance of the three elements of emotional labour.

Findings: Investigating heterogeneity, the authors create a typology of three different types of officer. In addition to a core group, this includes groups with misaligned and matching values. Surface acting impacts on all groups, and in each group it is associated with increased levels of burnout.

Originality/value: A unique feature of this research is the involvement of a practitioner from the police service in the authorship team, together with re-engagement with the police service in order to refine this typology. Possible coping strategies are introduced following this consultation.
Original languageEnglish
JournalPolicing
Early online date25 Apr 2023
DOIs
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 25 Apr 2023

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