Occupational Stress and the Use of Force by Dutch Police Officers

Abstract

This study addresses three issues. First, characteristics of Dutch police work and the stressful aspects of this work are described. Second, the levels of burnout of Dutch police officers are assessed in terms of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment. Finally, burnout is related to the use of force by police officers. Data were collected through participant observation during 122 patrol shifts and by a questionnaire distributed to police officers ( N = 358). Organizational hazards emerged as the most frequently stressful and demanding aspects of police work. Compared to other professions, police officers score relatively low on emotional exhaustion, relatively high on depersonalization, and average on personal accomplishment. Significant relationships were found between burnout of police officers and a positive attitude toward the use of force, the self-reported use of force, and the independently observed use of force. Implications for research, police management, and police training are discussed.