THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN STRESS AND WORK PERFORMANCE OF POLICE OFFICERS IN KASARANI SUB-COUNTY

Abstract

The main purpose of the study was to investigate the relationship between stress and work performance of police officers in Kasarani Sub-county. The specific objectives were to: determine how job satisfies and fulfills the needs of police officers in Kasarani Sub-county; determine job feelings of police officers in Kasarani Sub-county; determine changes brought after stress among police officers in Kasarani Sub-county; and determine the causes of stress among police officers in Kasarani Sub-county. The study adopted descriptive design. The study targeted 70 police officers in Kasarani Sub-County and a sample size of 50 police officers in Kasarani Sub-County. The study used non-probability sampling technique. Data was collected by use of a questionnaire. The study found that respondents were not stress free and satisfied; rather they have ambitions to advance their efforts in order to fulfill their needs. It found that majority of the respondents (28%) want to get better jobs and go to peak. It found that the police did not feel good and become lazy and bored and also suffered from headache. The study found that police had feelings that work load was too heavy and was a source of stress. The study concluded that majority of the police are stressed in their jobs and they are neither satisfied with their jobs nor able to fulfill their needs. The study recommends that the police force brings up a training program as well as a set of other programs geared towards managing stress amongst police officers. It also recommends that the need for an open dialogue between the senior police officers and their juniors so that the harsh behaviors of the former are checked and thus reducing cases of stress among police officers.