The Importance of Perceptions of Fair Treatment and Organisational Support for Well-Being and Discretionary Effort in Policing

Abstract

Using organisational justice and organisational support theory, this study examines the relationships between individuals’ perceptions of organisational justice and the organisational support they are provided, and their well-being and discretionary effort. A hypothesised model was developed and tested using structural equation modelling (SEM) to analyse multi-wave data (N = 559) from police officers and police staff working in an English police force. The results show that procedural justice was positively associated with individual well-being and discretionary effort. POS was found to mediate these relationships. The findings highlight the importance of procedural justice in policing for increasing police officer and staff well-being and discretionary effort and that these relationships occur through a mechanism of individuals feeling that the organisation cares about their well-being and recognises and appreciates their contributions at work. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.