Perceived work engagement and performance amongst police officers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong

Abstract

Abstract Although work-related stress among police officers during the Coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has been examined in recent studies, empirical studies of the impacts of multiple stressors on police officers’ work engagement and performance during this difficult time have been scarce. Using data collected from a sample of 335 police officers in Hong Kong, this study investigated the effects of supervisor support and different occupational stressors on police officers’ work engagement and performance during the pandemic. The regression results indicated that the impact of supervisor support was significantly and positively associated with both work outcomes. Operational stressors had a significant negative impact on the two work outcomes, and supervisor support had no moderating effect on the relationships between the various stressors and the two work outcomes. Practical suggestions on how to increase supervisor support for police officers and mitigate operational stressors are discussed.