Date

12-4-2025

Department

Helms School of Government

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy in Criminal Justice (PhD)

Chair

Carl Miedich

Keywords

job satisfaction, psychological stressors, grounded theory, post-Floyd policing, socio-political, cultural events

Disciplines

Law | Social and Behavioral Sciences

Abstract

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore police officer perceptions of job stress and satisfaction within the occupational environment at a mid-sized police agency in the Southern United States in the five years immediately following the George Floyd incident. Using Grounded Theory (GT), six major socio-political and cultural factors were investigated to determine the effects on police officer wellbeing and overall job satisfaction. The factors explored were defund the police, Black Lives Matter, social unrest, media impact, cancel culture, and woke culture. The data collection process involved the triangulation of data obtained through an agency-wide anonymous survey to all department officers, individual interviews, and a focus group. The data collected from the resulting transcripts was then coded for emerging themes, categories, and codes with the assistance of NVIVO qualitative analysis software. The findings of the research contribute to addressing gaps in prior research by centering on officer narratives related to job stress and professional job satisfaction in the immediate wake of national movements and contentious socio-political and cultural dynamics. Policy implications addressed in the research highlight officer wellness initiatives, community connections, visible leadership, and political support of officers. Results of this study emphasize the importance of fostering resilient organizational cultures and locally tailored, context-appropriate interventions to alleviate stress, retain qualified officers, and strengthen public trust. Future research should seek to expand these findings longitudinally and across more diverse populations and agencies.

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