et kvalitativt studie af danske politibetjentes oplevelser og håndteringer af arbejdsrelateret vold og trusler samt motivation

Abstract

This thesis regards work-related violence and threats among Danish police officers. Violence and threats in the workplace are a growing problem affecting many different professions, especially special educators, police officers, prison guards, and social and healthcare assistants. Work-related violence and threats have been studied in various international studies, primarily focusing on the consequences at individual, organizational, and societal levels. However, there is still a lack of research on the subject in a Danish context, especially focusing on police officers and how they handle these incidents, making it relevant to focus on this topic. The purpose of the study is to shed light on different coping strategies when faced with work-related violence and threats, as well as the motivation to remain in the job despite the risks. As work-related violence and threats are a growing phenomenon with many consequences on multiple levels, it is considered a sociologically relevant phenomenon. Since police officers spend a significant amount of time at work exposed to risks associated with violence and threats, studying these conditions can also contribute to an understanding of the work environment within the police force and identify factors that affect officers' well-being and motivation. Furthermore, work-related violence and threats are often associated with classical sociological studies of themes such as emotion regulation, institutional work studies, emotions, and institutional maintenance. This is sociologically relevant because work-related violence is a current phenomenon in present-day Denmark. This preliminary work leads to the following research question: How do police officers experience violence and threats in the course of their work, how do they handle them, and what motivates them to remain in the job? To answer the research question, this thesis takes a qualitative approach inspired by hermeneutics and phenomenology, as well as an adaptive research strategy due to the interest in the individual police officer's experiences and coping strategies. This approach is strengthened by the use of sensitizing concepts. By combining relatively open and phenomenology-inspired approaches with sensitizing concepts, it is possible to give the data analytical theoretical structure and guidance. To access the experiences and coping strategies of police officers, six semi-structured interviews have been conducted with current police officers. Four interviews were conducted in person, while two were conducted over the phone. The results are analyzed using Arlie R. Hochschild and Sharon Bolton's theory of emotion work, Mia Hartmann and Ninna Meier's concept of emotional absence, Erving Goffman's theory of dramaturgy, and Edward L. Deci and Richard M. Ryan's self-determination theory. The result of the analysis shows that the officers employ a wide range of coping strategies to regulate their emotions in accordance with the institution's emotional rules when they are in situations involving violence and threats in the performance of their duties. The various coping strategies enable the officers to practice emotions such as fear and nervousness in a coordinated manner consistent with their professional role. Motivational factors such as team spirit and passion, where colleagues, exciting tasks, and the ability to see that they are making a difference, can influence officers' engagement and retention in their work.

A master thesis from Aalborg University

et kvalitativt studie af danske politibetjentes oplevelser og håndteringer af arbejdsrelateret vold og trusler samt motivation

[A Qualitative Study of Danish Police Officers' Experiences and Management of Work-Related Violence and Threats, as well as Their Motivation]