May the Force be With You: Furthering Fresh Futures for NSW Police Psychological Strengths, Wellbeing and Retention

The NSW Police Force (NSWPF) were concerned that record numbers of NSWPF have been on psychological medical leave and are leaving the Force due to psychological stress and trauma. Alarmingly, on any given day, an average of 12% of the NSWPF workforce is unable to be deployed (NSWPF, 2011). Over 80% of primary injuries are psychological and at least 80% of these would be partial and permanent injuries (Police Association of NSW (PANSW), 2011). In addition to this, currently, few staff (1.6%) retired; most exited via medical leave, particularly due to post-traumatic-stress-disorder (PTSD) (NSWPF, 2011). Fresh solutions from a positive psychology perspective are urgently required to address complex issues underpinning unsustainable rates of NSWPF psychological medical leave and retirements, and to successfully cultivate police well-being (Schedule 2, UWS & NSW Police Research Agreement, 2013: 8). This Pilot Study is part of a larger research study whose objective is to explicate psychosocial determinants of NSWPF well-being, commitment, resilience and retention, and was intended to result in innovative research-derived interventions for NSWPF. This report responds to the qualitative research portion of the Pilot Study, as undertaken by UWS