Occupational Stress In The Namibian Police Force: An Exploratory Study From A Psycho-Spiritual Perspective

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to explore the actuality of stress among the Namibian Police Force members by investigating the causes and impact it has on members and the organisation itself. The study identified possible effective ways of coping with stress in the Namibian Police Force. The purpose of the study was to assist and guide the Namibian Police Force members to deal with stress related problems from psycho-spiritual perspectives. A mixed research methodology of qualitative and quantitative approaches was used by means of interviewing twenty (20) police force members as well as a survey. It was vital to combine the two research methodologies because the qualitative approach produces a richer understanding of many social phenomena that cannot be achieved through other observational approaches. The interview guide was used to make the interview easy and to guide both the researcher and the interviewees. The study participants were asked what they thought could be the causes of stress among the Namibian Police Force members. They responded by emphasising the nature of the work in the police force, as well as the conditions in the force. The results of the study show that the professional services needed in the police and provision of study materials should be expanded to the entire force membership. The study was conducted in the Khomas and Kunene regions. The motive for choosing these two regions was that the vastness of Namibia (a total land area of 823, 290 square kilometers) and the limited resources on the part of the researcher. In addition, the Khomas region is the researcher’s operational area and in the case of Kunene region, it is one of the areas perceived to have high levels of stress in the country. Another reason for opting for the Kunene region is that the members of the force in this part of the country experience lack of facilities that are the contributing factors to stress levels.