Workplace demands, resources, and well-being among police staff working in forensic services.

Abstract

Forensic staff play a crucial role in law enforcement through providing specialist services to police agencies in criminal investigations. Given the unique work, including frequent exposure to potentially distressing material, administrative workloads, and other work-related pressures, forensic staff are at risk of increased occupational stress. The current study examined the demands and resources associated with stress-related outcomes among forensic staff. It further provides descriptions of the coping strategies used, perceptions of organizational support resources, and attitudes toward help-seeking and using sick leave. Participants were 114 sworn and non-sworn forensic staff working in an Australian law enforcement organization. The study used a mixed methods design with participants completing survey questions online. Quantitative data were analyzed using bivariate correlations and partial least squares regression analyses. Qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results identified the key role of occupational and organizational stressors, and forensic-specific job-related demands, in predicting various stress-related outcomes. Supervisor support, peer support, and psychosocial safety climate also had a key role in predicting stress-related outcomes among forensic staff. Law enforcement organizations employing staff in forensic job roles should take a holistic approach to optimizing demands which not only focuses on trauma, but also on mitigating occupational and organizational stressors. Demands specific to the role of forensics also need to be considered. In an effort to offset job demands, police agencies should seek to uplift the capacity of key resources such as supervisors and peers and should focus on ensuring a positive psychosocial safety climate.