Police Investigators Stress Study. Varun Kapoor*, IPS & Dr. Yamini Karmarkar**

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1 Plice Investigatrs Stress Study Varun Kapr*, IPS & Dr. Yamini Karmarkar** Keywrds Plice, Investigatrs, Stress, Study. Abstract Stress is inherent in unifrm services. There have been several studies cnducted n fficers in different parts f the wrld and sme in India, which reveal that the present wrking cnditins and several ther factrs have lead t increased level f stress amng fficers. Intrductin STRESS at the wrk place is quite cmmn these days and it has becme a fact f life inevitable in this age f intense cmpetitin. Hwever, stress is inherent in unifrm services. There have been several studies cnducted n fficers in different parts f the wrld and sme in India, which reveal that the present wrking cnditins and several ther factrs have lead t increased level f stress amng fficers. A study by Rakesh Kumar Singh (2007) cnducted n Central Reserve Plice Frce (CRPF) fund that the situatin becmes wrse because f envirnmental factrs like pr living cnditins, dd and prlnged duty hurs, txic leadership and negative image in sciety and media. There are several reasns attributed t Stress amng fficers. Fr example, the finding f study at Waghdiya plice statin in Gujarat by Kalpesh Naik in 2012, suggests that there is a significant difference in the level f stress amng plice persnnel and the surces f stress vary as per their nature f prfile, shifts, designatin, rle and respnsibilities. Anther study cnducted by Sibnath Deb and thers (2005) Authr Intr: * Inspectr General f Plice, PRTS, Indre (M.P.). ** Assciate Prfessr, IIPS Devi Ahilya University, Indre (M.P.). 85

2 The Indian Plice Jurnal n West Bengal plice fficers fund that pwerlessness, pr peer relatins, intrinsic impverishment, lw status, strenuus wrking cnditins, un-prfitability and plitical pressures are main causes f stress. In 2005, S.R. Mehta and thers cnducted a study fr The Bureau f Plice Research & Develpment (BPR&D), n Central Armed Plice Frces (CAPF). They reprted that the causes f dissatisfactin amng fficers are excessive wrklad, prlnged duty hurs, denial f leave, bad treatment by superirs/peers, pr living cnditins. The abve studies shw that the there is substantial awareness f stress and its related prblems affecting their persnnel. But the fact remains that the in-huse stress cping mechanisms in different CAPFs is either inadequate r failed t perate effectively at field level. Plice Radi Training Schl) (PRTS) Indre therefre tk the initiative t devise effective strategy fr Madhya Pradesh Plice t cpe with Stress. The research team frm Internatinal Institute f Prfessinal Studies, Devi Ahilya University, Indre cnducted this research fr PRTS. A survey was designed and cnducted fr studying factrs that cause stress amng fficers (Sub- Inspectrs, Inspectrs, DSPs/CSPs), f Madhya Pradesh Plice, wrking in the field as well as reserve frce. The fllwing sectins f the study describe the Objectives, Methdlgy, Findings and recmmendatins f the study. Objectives As mentined, this study was undertaken jintly by PRTS, Indre and frm Internatinal Institute f Prfessinal Studies, Devi Ahilya University, Indre. PRTS cnducts training sessins fr the fficers f different ranks and prfiles n several tpics. Officers attending these training sessins are frm all ver Indre Range. Thus, it prvided a gd pprtunity t interact with many fficers n a cmmn platfrm. Further, during such training sessins, the envirnment in general is calm and learning riented, and it differs frm the daily cmplex rutine f fficers. Thus, it seemed t be a suitable pprtunity t study their perceptin abut their jb and assess their perceptin f the factrs which cause stress. At the same time, the study intended t find ut feasible slutins t reduce stress levels. The specific bjectives f the study were as fllws:- T study the perceptin f Plice fficers twards their duty. T study the stress level amng plice fficers 86

3 The Indian Plice Jurnal T study the majr factrs causing stress amng plice fficers. T identify the effective stress relieving techniques fr plice fficers. Methdlgy This study was descriptive in nature. The ppulatin fr study cmprised f all Plice fficers in Indre Range. The sample fr the study was selected purpsively. All the trainees that attended training prgrams at PRTS during the perid May, 2012 t September, 2012 were cnsidered fr respnses. The Questinnaire A specially designed questinnaire was used t seek respnse. The questinnaire includes sme factrs, which are likely t cause stress amng plice fficers. These factrs were identified n the basis f literature review, persnal interviews with varius fficers and ther published and unpublished surces f infrmatin. These factrs bradly classified in tw aspects: Individual stressrs and System based stressrs. The questinnaire was designed in fur parts which are described as fllws: The first part was t gather the basic demgraphic infrmatin f the respndents The secnd part included pen-ended items fr seeking the likes and dislikes f respndents twards Plice Duty. The third part was fcused n measuring the Perceptin f fficers twards their duty. This was clse ended and had mre than 40 questins which reflected bth psitive and negative aspects f Plice Duty. The respnse was sught n a 5-pint Likert scale ranging frm Strngly Disagree t Strngly Agree. The furth and the last part tried t identify the techniques adpted by fficers t fight the stress that they experience. Sample Size In all 238 respndents participated in the study. The data thus cllected was cded and cmputerized fr further analysis. Data Analysis The data thus cllected was analyzed using varius statistical tls. The SPSS sftware was used fr perfrming the analysis. 87

The Indian Plice Jurnal Findings and Discussins The present study fcused n measuring the stress level f plice fficers, studying their perceptin twards their duty, identifying the factrs that affect

4 The Indian Plice Jurnal Findings and Discussins The present study fcused n measuring the stress level f plice fficers, studying their perceptin twards their duty, identifying the factrs that affect their stress level. The study als tried t analyze these three things fr different levels f fficers. Descriptive The fllwing charts shw the distributin f respndents acrss varius demgraphic variables. The crss sectins f respndents were created n the basis f Their Duty Reserved Frce r Field Frce Age f the Officers Years f service in Plice Number f Pstings Gender The fllwing five charts shw the distributin f respndents acrss these variables. Reserve Frce and Field Frce 88

5 The Indian Plice Jurnal 89

6 The Indian Plice Jurnal 90

7 The Indian Plice Jurnal Measurement f Stress Levels The Stress Level f respndents was measured using a 12 questins scale f Perceived Stress. The scring f the respnses was dne n the basis f stress experienced by respndents in the past ne mnth. The analysis f stress levels f respndents revealed that mre than 80% f the respndents have experienced High Stress in the past ne mnth. This is a seriusly alarming situatin. Further, 26 % respndents faced Very High Stress while 6 % respndents faced Extremely High Stress. The fllwing figure shws the percentage f respndents in categry f stress levels. Stress level f Respndents Factr Analysis fr Perceptin f Plice Officers twards Plice Duty The next step in the analysis was t find ut the Perceptin f Plice fficers twards their duty. The questins that were asked t them included psitive as well as negative statements. Their respnse was taken n a 5 pint Likert scale. The data thus btained was subjected t factr analysis. 91

8 The Indian Plice Jurnal The reliability f the scale used t measure perceptin was measured thrugh Chrnbach s Alpha. A alpha value f 0.75 % indicated high reliability f the measure. The factr analysis explained 46% f ttal variance and n the basis f eigen values ttal 6 factrs were generated. Out f these tw factrs revealed psitive perceptin while fur factrs revealed negative perceptin. These six factrs were:- Psitive Perceptin Sensitivity & Cncern shwn by the Department Pride f being a Plice Man Negative Perceptin Challenges f the Jb System Generated Challenges External Pressures Persnal and Behaviral Challenges f the Jb The fllwing tw tables describe the factrs and elements in each factr. Factrs which reveal Psitive Perceptin twards Plice Duty Factr and Items Percentage f variance Explained Cumulative Percent Sensitivity & Cncern shwn by the Department Sensitivity and cperativeness f superirs Adequacy f arms and equipments prvided by department Supprtive wrk envirnment in the department Sufficiency f perks and ther facilities prvided by the department Image f Plice in the eyes f cmmn man Sufficiency f training prvided by the department Pride f being a Plice Man Pride and influence in being an fficer Satisfactin f prtecting and serving the sciety Pwer vested in the pst High esteem assciated with being an fficer Special attentin received as an fficer in unifrm Facilities given by plice department Increase in efficiency f fficers as a result f training imparted

Highest psitive perceptin f plice is built amng the subrdinates if the superirs are sensitive and cperative twards subrdinates.

9 The Indian Plice Jurnal The abve psitive factrs were further elabrated t explain each single variable in that factr. The first factr, which creates psitive perceptin f Plice, is Sensitivity & Cncern shwn by the Department. The fllwing graphs elabrate these variables. Highest psitive perceptin f plice is built amng the subrdinates if the superirs are sensitive and cperative twards subrdinates. Sensitivity & Cncern shwn by the Department Percentage f respnse t each f the elements Perceptin The superirs are sensitive and cperative twards subrdinates The department prvides adequate arms and equipments fr the safety and security f fficers There is supprtive wrk envirnment in the department The perks and ther facilities prvided by the department are gd The image f Plice in the eyes f cmmn man is satisfactry The training prvided by the department is sufficient t meet all the needs f fficers Strngly Disagree Disagree Neither Disagree Nr Agree Agree Strngly Agree

10 The Indian Plice Jurnal 94

11 The Indian Plice Jurnal 95

12 The Indian Plice Jurnal Pride f being a Plice Man Percentage f respnse t each f the elements Perceptin There are facilities given by plice department There is high esteem assciated with being an fficer There is immense satisfactin f prtecting and serving the sciety There is immense pwer vested in the pst As an fficer in unifrm, I get special attentin when I g fr any wrk There is enugh pride and influence in being an fficer. The efficiency f fficers increases as a result f training imparted Strngly Disagree Disagree Neither Disagree Nr Agree Agree Strngly Agree Factrs which reveal Psitive Perceptin twards Plice Duty Factr and Items Challenges f the Jb Bureaucratic hassles in day t day wrking Lng and stretching VVIP duties Difficulty in maintaining scial life in this duty Lack f time fr family Excess negativity t be handled in terms f crimes and criminals Lack f cnsideratin shwn by curts t plice fficers. Crss-examinatin f fficers by curt Wrking n festivals Difficulties in Interactin and crdinatin with ther departments like Curt, Gerettninsigc,a letcn g with the team and wrking tgether is a big challenge Percentage f variance Explained Cumulative Percent

13 The Indian Plice Jurnal System Generated Challenges Lack f relevant and suitable training prvided by department Negative perceptin f cmmn man fr Plice. Leniency f curts tward the criminals Insensitive pears in department Anger generated by verall wrking cnditin f department Prblems in scheduling appearances in curt External Pressures Challenges t learn new technlgy like ICT etc Plitical pressures affecting nrmal wrking in the department Pressure f being transferred t unfavrable lcatin Pressure f pssible delay in the prmtins Excessive wrklad n mst f the days Lng wrk timings Salary insufficient t meet basic expenses Lack f prper infrastructure in the department Pear pressure t perfrm gd / bad Persnal and Behaviral Challenges f the Jb Direct and indirect privileges fr being an fficer. Physical prblems affecting efficiency at duty Difficulty in cping with attitude f c-fficers Family prblems affecting cncentratin n wrk Inability t maintain a healthy and harmnic wrk envirnment Effrts t remain cperative and sensitive twards subrdinates The mean scres f each factr were further evaluated. Fllwing table shws the scres. A high scre indicates strng agreement twards that factr, whereas, a lw scre indicates Disagreement twards that factr. Thus, it can be seen that amng psitive factrs, the Pride f Being a Plice Man has highest agreement with 77.4%, while, the agreement fr Sensitivity and Cncern shwn by department has lwer agreement with 59.5%. Amng the negative factrs, 97

14 The Indian Plice Jurnal External Pressures and Challenges f Jb were fund t be highly affecting factrs with scres abve 70%. All the fur negative factrs had high scres abve 60%. Descriptive Statistics fr entire sample Psitive Factrs Mean Scre Percent Scre Pride f being a Plice Man Sensitivity & Cncern shwn by the Department Negative Factrs External Pressures Challenges f the Jb Persnal and Behaviral Challenges f the Jb System Generated Challenges A high scre indicates strng agreement t the factr Perceptin f Officers twards Plice Duty Level f Agreement Challenges f the Jb System Generated Challenges External Pressures Persnal and Behaviural Challenges f Jb Sensitivity & Cncern shwn by the Department Pride f being a Plice Man Factrs 98

15 The Indian Plice Jurnal Relatinship Between Stress Level And Perceptin Twards Plice Duty Regressin results fr Perceptin Factrs and Stress Level Beta Significance level Psitive Factrs Sensitivity & Cncern shwn by the Department Pride f being a Plice Man Negative Factrs Challenges f the Jb System Generated Challenges External Pressures Persnal & Behaviral Challenges f the Jb Dependent Variable: Stress level f Respndents The next and the very imprtant step in the analysis was t explre a relatinship if any between the factrs affecting Perceptin and the Stress level f the respndents. Fr this, a regressin was run with the six perceptin variables as independent variable and Stress Level as dependent variable. The abve table shws the result fr regressin. A lk at the beta value yields interesting results which are summarized as fllws:- Psitive Factrs: Sensitivity & Cncern shwn by the Department, Pride f being a Plice Man have a negative and significant beta value. This means, that higher the Sensitivity & Cncern shwn by the Department, lwer will be the Stress Level and Higher the Pride f being a Plice Man, lwer will be the Stress Level Negative Factrs: Challenges f the Jb and Persnal & Behaviral Challenges f the Jb are psitively and significantly related t Stress Level. This means that higher challenges and higher persnal and behaviral issues cause increased stress levels. System Generated Challenges and External Pressures are negatively related t Stress Level. But these tw factrs were nt fund t be significant in the result. 99

16 The Indian Plice Jurnal The third part f the study was t identify actual stress cping techniques adpted by plice respndents. Fr this, the respndents were first asked t write the five biggest stressrs. This was an penended questin. The pen-ended respnses given by the respndents fr five biggest stressrs were studied and a cntent analysis was dne. Fllwing is a summary f respnses. The respnses received fr the biggest stress creating things were categrized in t 7 brad actins. These were:- Lack f time fr family Lack f financial Resurces Disturbance in family life due t frequent transfers Attitude f fellw plicemen Behavir f Senir Officers Plitical interference in their wrk Delay in Prmtins and ther due rewards The abve categries were fund t be reflecting the similar factrs, which were identified in the Perceptin study in the previus sectin f the study. A lk at these factrs reveals that ut f seven, tw factrs i.e., Attitude f fellw plicemen and Behavir f senir plice fficers relate t the wrk culture prevailing in Plice department. And this prblem was fund t be cmmn amng fficers at all levels. This als indicates that if the Plice rganisatin rewrks upn its leadership mdel, the benefits can be perclated t the lwest Strategies Adpted by Plicemen t cpe up with stress And in the last but very imprtant part f the questinnaire, they were asked t chse their strategy t cpe up with stress. They were given 5 ptins fr stress management techniques and were asked t chse any ne. The ptins given fr Stress management techniques were as fllws:- I can t d much abut it. Stress is an integral part f Plice duty I try t frget stress creating things and I m able t d it t sme extent. 100

The Indian Plice Jurnal I feel that with little guidance I can vercme stress. I adpt ther ways t frget things and avid stress I adpt a spiritual attitude t cpe up with stress.

17 The Indian Plice Jurnal I feel that with little guidance I can vercme stress. I adpt ther ways t frget things and avid stress I adpt a spiritual attitude t cpe up with stress. The abve respnses were analyzed n the basis f percentage analysis. Revisiting Leadership Mdel fr reducing Stress Level amng Plice The study revealed tw very imprtant aspects, which can g a lng way in reducing stress level amng plice fficials. The first pint that needs t be nted is that 45% f the Plice men felt that with a little guidance and supprt, it is pssible fr them t vercme stress. This indicates a ray f hpe fr the plice department. There is need t explre ways and means t prvide supprt t their men. All the psitive variables were further explred fr a cause and effect relatinship with stress level. As mentined in the previus sectin, there were 13 variables falling int tw brad categries as fllws:- Sensitivity & Cncern shwn by the Department Sensitivity and cperativeness f superirs 101

18 The Indian Plice Jurnal Adequacy f arms and equipments prvided by department Supprtive wrk envirnment in the department Sufficiency f perks and ther facilities prvided by the department Image f Plice in the eyes f cmmn man Sufficiency f training prvided by the department Pride f being a Plice Man Pride and influence in being an fficer. Satisfactin f prtecting and serving the sciety Pwer vested in the pst High esteem assciated with being an fficer Special attentin received as an fficer in unifrm Facilities given by plice department Increase in efficiency f fficers as a result f training imparted A lk at the abve 13 variables which have a psitive effect n reducing Stress Level f Plice fficers, shws that, there are 4 variables which cnnect t the Leadership and Wrk Culture in the Plice Department. These are:- Sensitivity and cperativeness f superirs Supprtive wrk envirnment in the department Sufficiency f training prvided by the department Increase in efficiency f fficers as a result f training imparted The remaining variables were als fund t have sme psitive assciatin but they pertain t Plicy matters and external image f the Plice. These fur variables are unique in terms f feasibility fr immediate adptin by Senir Plice Officers as they play leadership rle in the department. These fur variables were regressed with Stress Level f respndents t see if there is any cause and effect relatinship between them. Out f these fur variables, nly ne variable Sensitivity and 102

19 The Indian Plice Jurnal cperative attitude f Superirs twards subrdinates, was fund t be significantly, negatively related t Stress Level. This indicates that, higher the sensitivity and cperative attitude f Senirs twards their subrdinates, lwer will be the stress levels. Cause and Effect Relatinship between Stress Level and Superirs Behavir and Wrk Envirnment in the department (Cnstant) The superirs are sensitive and cperative twards subrdinates Beta Cefficient Sig This is quite a significant finding. The plice department fllws an imperial, authritative style f leadership t a very large extent. The superirs are seen t be autcratic in their wrk style. While this is felt t be justified wing t the high level f discipline expected frm the plice frce, but, it reduces the basic human sensitivity expected twards fellw human beings. The study revealed that this autcratic behavir, many times, leads t insensitivity and nn-cperatin by superirs causing high stress amng the subrdinates. The study fund that a psitive behavir by superirs, in terms f exhibiting sensitivity and cperatin twards subrdinates, can help in reducing the stress level f subrdinates. This was fund t be true at the all levels f the plice hierarchy. Cnclusin This study tried t explre the factrs causing stress amng plice fficers f Madhya Pradesh. The survey was cnducted amng 238 plice fficers that attended several training prgrams at PRTS. The findings f the study are being cncluded as fllws:- Majrity f the plice fficers are under high stress. Mre than 80% f the fficers were fund t be under High Stress. Sme f them are even extremely stressed. The fficers have certain perceptin abut their jb. They see sme psitive things and sme negative things in their jb. These Psitive and negative factrs are fund t affect the stress levels f fficers. While psitive factrs reduce their stress levels, the negative factrs increase their stress levels. 103

20 The Indian Plice Jurnal The Psitive factrs abut their jb, which can help reduce their stress levels, are related t cncern shwn by their senirs during day-t-day wrking and the satisfactin derived ut f the fact that they are serving the sciety. The Negative factrs abut their jb, which can help reduce their stress levels, are related t several challenges they face. The challenges are related t perfrmance f duty, persnal and behaviral issues. There is a need t revisit the autcratic leadership style largely existing in the plice department. The sensitivity and c-peratin shwn by superirs can help in reducing the stress levels amng plice fficers. Recmmendatins and Plicy Implicatins This study ffers the fllwing recmmendatins t Madhya Pradesh Plice fr helping their fficers t address the issue f high stress levels:- Enhancing the Psitive Factrs The department, if inculcates a culture f sensitivity exhibiting cncern twards fficers will help imprve lwer the stress levels and subsequently increase their efficiency. There is inherent pride in being an fficer. The department shuld take steps t enhance this feeling and mtivate the fficers. Cntrlling the Negative Factrs The department may cnsider addressing the behaviral and attitudinal challenges f fficers thrugh training prgrams. Several skill building prgrams n issues like team wrk, psitive attitude, stress management, c-peratin, etc. may be planned and implemented fr fficers. Other issues fr which the department may evlve feasible slutins fr, are :- Difficulty in maintaining scial life, lack f time fr family, excess negativity t be handled in terms f crimes and criminals, wrking n festivals 104

21 The Indian Plice Jurnal Difficulties in Interactin and crdinatin with ther departments like Curt, frensic, etc, lack f cnsideratin shwn by curts t plice fficers, crssexaminatin f fficers by curt. Bibligraphy S.R Mehra, Sharda Prasad, RC Arra, Stress Management in the CPMFs, (2005), BPR&D, MHA, New Delhi (In-huse Study), Research Studies n Plice and Prisn Issues ( ) Cmpendium Kalpesh Dhirubhai Naik, An Analytical Study f Jb Stress f the Plice Persnnel at Waghdiya Plice Statin in Vaddara City, Ninth AIMS Internatinal Cnference n Management, January 2012 Rakesh Kumar Singh, Stress Management In CRPF, The Indian Plice Jurnal Vl. LIV N. 2, April-June 2007 Sibnath Deb, Tanusree Chakrabrty, Pja Chatterjee, Neerajakshi Srivastava, Are West Bengal Plice Officers Stressed?, The Indian Plice Jurnal, Vl. L II N. 1 January-March, 2005 issue 105

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