How cops see themselves

Abstract

This study provides the first assessment of officer self-regard and physical confidence among a sample of state police officers. Specifically, this study aims to identify health and wellness predictors of officer self-regard and physical confidence. Data were collected from surveys of all sworn members of one state police agency. State police officer self-regard is predicted by officers’ work shift, officer exercise, fast food consumption, officer sleep, and officers experiencing depression. No significant predictors of officer physical confidence were identified. This is the only study of health and wellness predictors of officer self-regard and physical confidence. Several health and wellness factors are predictive of officer self-regard, but more research should be conducted to identify health and wellness predictors of officer physical confidence.