Challenges And Coping Mechanisms of Work-Related Stress of Police Officers During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The study intended to explore the stress cognizance of Tagbilaran Philippine National Police (PNP) Personnel in Tagbilaran City in 2021. Research participants were asked to answer the following: what were their stressful experiences and how did they resolve and address their work distress during the COVID-19 Pandemic. The study utilized a qualitative method employing the descriptive-phenomenological approach using an interview guide with open-ended questions in exploring the work distress of the police officers in Tagbilaran City and their experiences as front liners in the COVID-19 Pandemic. There were ten selected police officers in the Tagbilaran City Police Station. Colaizzi’s method or phenomenological analysis procedure was used in analyzing the responses of the informants. From the gathered data, through the recorded response of the informants, there were eight (8) substantial emergent themes formulated as follows: Upside down, Fear is universal, Circumvention, A complication to a delinquent person, Desire for power and success, Benefits of hard work, Discontented, and Approved Responsibility.