Background

Law enforcement communications (i.e., 911 dispatch and call takers) is a challenging and stressful occupation. The purpose of this study is to identify the main stressors associated with employment in law enforcement communications, and to identify and provide context to how these stressors affect workers' health and wellbeing.

Methods

This research study included focus groups with 23 call takers and 911 dispatchers employed by a large, urban law enforcement agency in 2018. Thematic analyses were conducted to identify trends.

Results

Four themes of stressors emerged (i.e., the high stakes nature of some 911 calls for service, understaffing, supervisor-related stress, and recruiting practice). Two health-related themes emerged as being occupation-related: weight gain and poor sleep patterns/insufficient sleep). Specifically, participants reported negative eating habits resulting in weight gain and obesity, lack of sleep and irregular sleep schedules, and development of hypertension and/or diabetes since beginning their jobs.

Conclusion

Law enforcement communications professionals experience a number of the same stressors facing law enforcement officers in patrol. These stressors, combined with the sedentary nature of the job, could result in long-term, chronic health problems.

中文翻译：

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警察通讯工作者所经历的与工作相关的压力源对健康的慢性影响

背景

执法通信（即 911 调度和电话接听员）是一项具有挑战性和压力的职业。本研究的目的是确定执法沟通中与就业相关的主要压力源，并确定这些压力源如何影响工人的健康和福祉并提供背景信息。

方法

这项研究包括 2018 年大型城市执法机构雇用的 23 名接听员和 911 名调度员的焦点小组。进行了主题分析以确定趋势。

结果

出现了四个压力源主题（即，一些 911 呼叫服务的高风险性质、人员不足、与主管相关的压力和招聘实践）。两个与健康相关的主题出现与职业相关：体重增加和睡眠模式不佳/睡眠不足）。具体来说，参与者报告了自开始工作以来导致体重增加和肥胖、睡眠不足和不规律的睡眠时间表以及高血压和/或糖尿病的发展的不良饮食习惯。

结论

执法通信专业人员在巡逻时遇到了执法人员面临的许多相同压力源。这些压力源，加上工作久坐不动的性质，可能会导致长期的慢性健康问题。