What? A recent study by Drew and Williamson (2024) reveals that the psychological toll of policing extends beyond trauma and critical incidents (CIs), traditionally seen as the primary sources of stress in law enforcement. The researchers found that organizational and operational stressors have a much stronger impact on psychological distress and burnout than trauma or CIs. Specifically, organizational stress is three times more predictive of psychological distress, while operational stress is two and a half times as impactful.
Key organizational stressors include inconsistent leadership, favoritism, bureaucratic red tape, and staff shortages. Operational stress encompasses challenges such as shift work, work-life balance difficulties, and public scrutiny. Surprisingly, while trauma and CIs contribute to stress, their effects on burnout are entirely mediated by operational and organizational stress.
This study underscores a critical yet often overlooked aspect of policing: the influence of workplace culture, policies, and leadership on officer well-being. Leaders in police agencies, as architects of these systems, hold the keys to mitigating these stressors and fostering a healthier work environment.
So What? The implications of this study go far beyond academic insights—they provide a roadmap for transforming policing culture to prioritize officer wellness. Burnout and psychological distress among officers are not just individual issues; they have organizational consequences, including decreased job performance, higher turnover, and diminished public trust in policing.
Relying solely on trauma-focused interventions limits agencies to reactive approaches. While essential, these interventions fail to address preventable stressors rooted in organizational culture and policies. The findings call for a proactive shift toward primary prevention—reducing stressors before they harm officer health.
For police leaders, this means moving beyond outdated assumptions that trauma and CIs are the dominant drivers of poor psychological health. Instead, the focus should shift to addressing the systemic and cultural factors within their control. This not only improves officer well-being but also aligns with legal obligations under occupational health and safety regulations and enhances organizational performance.
The study’s emphasis on the leadership’s role aligns with the Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership from The Leadership Challenge. These practices—Model the Way, Inspire a Shared Vision, Challenge the Process, Enable Others to Act, and Encourage the Heart—offer a framework for leaders to drive meaningful change.
Now What? To apply the insights from this study within a framework of comprehensive fitness, police leaders can adopt the following strategies informed by the Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership:
- Model the Way
Leaders must demonstrate a commitment to reducing organizational and operational stressors by aligning their actions with shared values of trust, respect, and well-being. Transparency in decision-making and consistency in applying rules can alleviate stress caused by perceived favoritism and inconsistent leadership. Leaders should also model harmony across the nine domains of comprehensive fitness, showing officers that prioritizing well-being is both acceptable and encouraged. - Inspire a Shared Vision
Creating a vision of a healthy, resilient police workforce can unite the agency around a common goal. Leaders should communicate how reducing workplace stressors aligns with broader organizational objectives, such as improved retention, enhanced job satisfaction, and better community relations. Engaging officers in the process of crafting this vision ensures buy-in and fosters a culture of shared responsibility. - Challenge the Process
Addressing ingrained stressors requires leaders to question existing policies, practices, and cultural norms. For instance, can shift schedules be restructured to reduce fatigue? Are there bureaucratic processes that could be streamlined? Leaders should be willing to pilot new approaches and iterate based on feedback, demonstrating a commitment to continuous improvement. - Enable Others to Act
Empowering officers to contribute to workplace initiatives can create a sense of agency and ownership over their work environment. Leaders can establish wellness committees, encourage peer support programs, and involve officers in decision-making processes that impact their daily lives. Providing training on stress management and resilience equips officers with tools to navigate operational challenges more effectively. - Encourage the Heart
Celebrating progress and recognizing individual and team contributions to a healthier workplace fosters a sense of community and morale. Whether it’s acknowledging officers who lead wellness efforts or publicly celebrating milestones in reducing burnout rates, these gestures reinforce the importance of well-being and motivate continued efforts.
Integration with Comprehensive Fitness The findings from this study align seamlessly with the philosophy of comprehensive fitness: “Fit for function, ready for life.” By addressing organizational and operational stressors, police leaders are not just improving workplace conditions—they’re enhancing the emotional, social, and occupational fitness of their officers.
For example:
- Emotional Fitness: Reduced organizational stress improves officers’ mental health and resilience.
- Social Fitness: A supportive workplace culture strengthens camaraderie and trust.
- Occupational Fitness: Empowering officers to act and participate in wellness initiatives enhances their engagement and job satisfaction.
- Spiritual Fitness: Clarifying and consistently demonstrating core values fosters a sense of purpose and alignment between personal beliefs and professional actions, helping officers feel more grounded and committed to their roles.
Furthermore, integrating these leadership practices into comprehensive fitness programs ensures that wellness initiatives are not isolated efforts but part of a holistic approach to improving police work environments.
Conclusion The Drew and Williamson (2024) study is a clarion call for police leaders to broaden their focus beyond trauma and CIs and address the preventable stressors within their control. By leveraging the Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership, leaders can create a proactive, evidence-based approach to officer wellness. This not only fulfills their legal and ethical obligations but also aligns with the mission of building a workforce that is truly “fit for function, ready for life.”
Police agencies have an opportunity to lead the way in workplace reform, setting a standard for how leadership can transform organizational culture to prioritize both officer well-being and operational excellence.
Drew, J. M., & Williamson, H. (2024). Trauma, critical incidents, organizational and operational stressors: The relationship between harms and psychological outcomes for police. Police Quarterly, 0(0), 1–26. https://doi.org/10.1177/10986111241275048
