Police Officer Burnout: A Partial Replication of Maslach's Burnout Inventory

Abstract

This study examined police officer burnout and the relationship between emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment on the job. Special attention was given to personal characteristics such as sex, age, religion, marital status, educational level, length of time in a particular job assignment, length of time in law enforcement, and race. To gather data for the study, the Maslach Burnout Inventory was administered to 452 sworn police officers in four departments policing cities with populations ranging from 65,000 to 240,000. There was a strong correlation when emotional exhaustion and depersonalization were correlated individually with personal accomplishment. In addition, these variables in tandem were highly significant when regressed with personal accomplishment via the multiple regression statistical technique. High emotional exhaustion and depersonalization scores meant low personal accomplishment scores. Relationships were also found with some demographic characteristics, emotional exhaustion, and depersonalization.

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