From Rookie to Retiree: Challenges of Police Officers at the Beginning and End of their Career

Maryam Dar1 & Shirmeen Ijaz2

Abstract
Police department is one of the most stressful and challenging professions. They are facing multiple life-threatening incidents that, the general public would consider traumatic, such as threats to their lives and the lives of others or exposure to disasters, hostage situations, sexual and physical assaults, shootings, mutilation, carnage, and death. This study aims to explore the challenges of police at the start of their career and near to retirement. This study is qualitative in nature. The sample size of this current study was N=8. The sample consisted of 4 police cops (2 males and 2 females near to retirement) and 4 cops (2 males, and 2 females who
newly joined police). Semi-structured interviews were carried out. Willing participants were included, ensuring confidentiality. Data was analyzed through Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Psycho-Physical Anguish, Strained Relations and Liability of Media, Unalienable Rights, Asset-Backed Risks, Dilapidated System, these five themes emerged after analysis. Results showed that, police facing a number of challenges and both life spans are challenging but at beginning officers are young and impassioned and near to retirement they are expert to tackle. This study helps to explore the challenges of two different phases of police and this could lead towards the realization of the challenges, and shed light on the role of women in police which can help to promote women empowerment and their
importance in society and every field of life.

Key Word: Challenges, Police Rookie, Retirement, IPA.