Emotional labour and burnout among police officers

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.