Operational Challenges and Their Influence on Job Performance and Well-Being of Punjab Highway Patrol Police Officers

Abstract

Police officers, especially those which work in highway patrol units, work under demanding and contemporary conditions which subject them to special operational and organizational challenges. The study was a descriptive phenomenological qualitative research using twelve Punjab Highway Patrol (PHP) officers to understand how these challenges affect their job performance and well-being. Participants in what is known as purposive sampling have been sampled by virtue of their direct involvement in highway operations. Data was gathered using structured interview, and it targeted operational and organizational challenges, resource limitation, interaction with the public, and stress at work. The interview guide secured content validity through the consultation of two experienced criminologists. The data was analyzed using thematic analysis to find patterns and elicit themes and sub-themes. Results indicated that insufficient resources, inferior equipment, inadequate training and administrative issues including political interference among others and managerial support which made a great impact to the effectiveness of the officers in their duties and increased occupational stress. The respondents indicated that these challenges adversely impacted them in terms of physical and psychological health, ability to make decisions, and general satisfaction with their work. The study findings highlight the importance of the organization structure to be supportive, and the resources to be sufficient, and the administrative practice to be transparent in improving the performance and well-being of PHP officers. These results are relevant to policy changes and strategic interventions to enhance efficiency of highway policing and support the health and well-being of law enforcement officers. This research will help to understand the problem of operating within the limits of the operation and the well-being of the officers at Punjab Highway Patrol in Punjab as they have a wider range of challenges that can directly influence the further improvement of the institution, as well as to inform the specific strategies of institution development.