Job satisfaction, stress, burnout in the South African Police Servive : North West Province, Mmabatho and Vryburg area

Abstract

The South African Police Service is seen as inseparable cornerstone of the society. To render effective and efficient service to the communities depends largely on the human source. The satisfaction of police officers with the jobs, will affect the quality of service they render to the general public. In this respect, the question of how satisfied are they with their jobs gains importance. The general aim of this study is to investigate job satisfaction, stress and burnout of members of the South African Police Service in Mmabatho and Vryburg area in the North-West Province. To reach this objective, that is, investigating job satisfaction, stress and burnout of members of the South African Police Service in Mmabatho and Vryburg area in the North-West Province, questionnaires consisting of the following measuring instruments were used: the Minnesota Job Satisfaction Survey (MSQ), Police Stress Survey (PSS), the Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey (MEI-GS) and the Utretch Work Engagement Scale (UWES). Stratified random samples of the police members (N=227) were taken from Mmabatho and Vryburg area of the North-West Province. The results, indicates amongst other things that members of the police are dissatisfied with aspects that are extrinsic to their work, e.g. working . conditions and pay. Also experiencing stress emanating from mainly two sources, namely: job demands e.g. increased responsibilities and job resources e.g. lack/inadequate resources to perform their duties. As a result of stress experienced, they feel burned out but engaged to their work.