The Good and Bad and the Tired Cop: The Burnout of Greek Police Officers During the Interrogative Process

Abstract

Burnout is a serious condition resulting from prolonged and excessive workplace stress, leading to emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion. This phenomenon has been on the rise and can significantly impact all aspects of a person’s life – professional, social, and personal – often resulting in the emergence of depression or anxiety disorders due to feelings of helplessness. The pre-interrogation process plays a crucial role in case creation and investigation. This study aims to explore the perspectives of Greek Police Officers on this issue. Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews, and a qualitative method, specifically thematic analysis, was employed. The findings highlight a notable gap in the training of police officers and a lack of ongoing training, which complicates their daily experiences and contributes to the development of burnout stemming from feelings of inadequacy. Unstable work schedules, undefined responsibilities, and mental burdens due to violent incidents emerge as the most significant factors contributing to burnout. As a preventative measure, it is recommended to introduce comprehensive and systematic training and individual psychotherapy for Police Officers.

Keywords

• police officers
• burnout
• occupational stress
• Greece
• pre-interrogation procedure