Why Officers Leave: Stress, Burnout, and Police Officer Retention
This brief discusses how officer turnover continues to rise but is driven less by trauma exposure and more by organizational and operational stressors. Agencies can improve retention by addressing burnout, supporting wellness, and fostering commitment to both the organization and the policing profession.
Adapted from Drew, J.M., Sargeant, E., & Martin, S. (2024). Why do police consider leaving the profession?: The interplay between job demand stress, burnout, psychological distress, and commitment. Policing: A Journal of Policy and Practice, 18. https://doi.org/10.1093/police/paae036
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