The impact of child abuse cases in police officers : a qualitative research

Abstract

Being a police officer is not just a job but a lifestyle. This style of living requires dedication, sacrifices, physical and mental demands, and temptations that unfortunately, some fail to overcome. This dissertation explores the impact of child abuse on police officers from various police sections involved in these cases and explores how some officers admit to never to want to work in these sections, whereas, in contrast, the majority of those already working in these units do not want to leave. The research aims to enlighten policymakers on the difficulties these officers encounter from a holistic perspective with a view towards ameliorating their working conditions. To inform the research, interviews were carried out with six police officers who work or who had previously worked closely with cases involving child abuse. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data obtained through the interviews. The main findings from this study suggest that these officers are being affected on several levels, causing them to experience high levels of stress, burnout, compassion fatigue, and make use of negative coping strategies. The research concludes by highlighting the importance of exploring the impact of child abuse cases on officers by considering the impact on an organizational, personal level, and community level. Based on the research findings, the research presents a set of recommendations intended to contribute towards the officers’ general amelioration, both at the workplace but also in their personal life. The recommendations emphasize the need for further investment in training and education, the engagement of external services such as warranted psychologists, improved shift patterns, and better investment in resources allocated. This study hopes to alleviate some of the underlined circumstances and contribute towards better relationships and trust between the officers and those affected by this crime. Moreover, the study seeks to raise more awareness of what constitutes working with child abuse cases and its life-long impact on the officers involved.