P095 - The good and bad and a tired cop: The burnout of Greek Police Officers during the interrogative process.

• In Event: Poster Session & Ice Cream Social

Abstract

Burnout is a serious condition that results from prolonged and excessive stress in the workplace, causing emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion. Those who work in high-stress professions involving violence, decision-making, crisis management, and irregular hours are more susceptible to burnout. Burnout can also impact one's personal life, leading to a lack of desire to socialise and potential mental health disorders like depression, anxiety, or substance abuse.
In the case of police officers, the interrogation process can be incredibly stressful, complicated and demanding due to the nature of their work and the lack of sufficient training. This process involves dealing with strong emotions and ethical dilemmas. Also, investigators may face false confessions, suspect deception, peer or societal pressure to solve a crime, media defamation, and even personal threats.
Therefore, this research aims to study the burnout that Greek police officers may experience due to the nature of their profession, how they are trained and whether they feel that it covers them in practice. Whether they also have knowledge of mental health issues and are trained to deal appropriately with witnesses and victims during investigative interviewing. In addition, their views on their industry, the interrogation techniques used, as well as the interrogation procedures in Greece, in general, will be studied, as well as conclusions will be drawn on the working conditions in Greek police stations, as well as possible support and prevention measures against burnout in this sector.

Authors

• Lamprini NTOUNTOUMI, PhD Candidate in Criminology, Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences, Athens, Greece & Lecturer in Forensic Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Metropolitan College, a branch of the University of East London, Athens, Greece

• Vasiliki Karpouza, BSc Psychology Graduand, Faculty of Psychology, Metropolitan College, a branch of the University of East London, Athens, Greece