Suicide is a common phenomenon in all Police Agencies. Perceptions about police suicide, different Suicide Prevention Strategies and the Chaplain's role in preventing Police Suicide are researched. Data gathering employed two methods, namely:- A questionnaire to assess Perceptions of Personnel on Police Suicide and the Role of a Chaplain in the prevention thereof, and A case study to substantiate qualitative data. Information gathered through questionnaires was presented as percentages of personnel agreeing with statements. Results indicate that the following factors influence police perceptions on suicide:- Job characteristics, Lack of care and support, Low morale, Ineffective coping skills and Police culture. Recommendations are made on how Police Chaplains and SAPS Department can get involved in suicide prevention. This include Pastoral role fulfilment, in cooperation with the multidisciplinary effort by Employee Assistance Service (EAS). Recommendations are also made regarding future research on police suicide and chaplain's intervention. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / M. Th. (Practical Theology)

This study investigates the relationship between traumatic events and PTSD among police officers in KwaZulu-Natal and the mediating effects of coping and social support. The aim of the study was to determine the incidence of PTSD among police officers and whether coping and social support structures act as mediating variables in the stress-illness realtionship. In order to achieve this aim an assessment battery containing Biographical Checklist, the Ways of Coping Checklist, The Index of Social Support and the Dutch Post Traumatic Stress Scale was distributed to a sample of police officers in Kwazulu-Natal. The findings indicate a high incidence of PTSD, among policemen although no significant relationship was found between exposure to traumatic events and PTSD. Further, emotion­ focused coping strategies, namely, self-blame and wishful thinking, were found to be predictive of PTSD. No significant relationship was established between the availability of social support and satisfaction with social support and PTSD. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M.A. (Industrial Psychology)

Police officers provide emergency services to the public, while being simultaneously exposed to various organisational and social stressors over which they have little or no control. The outcome of this may be that highly committed and loyal police officers become psychologically and physically burned-out. Adversely, others may accept the same conditions and situations as a challenge and live an energetic and proactive life while experiencing a positive affective state (vigour) toward their duties. Officers who are burned-out may fail to meet their goal to protect the public, but eventually may suffer. The general objective of this study was to investigate vigour and burnout as obliquely related outcomes of the stress and coping process in terms of its dynamic relationship with challenges or threats, and the mediating role of personal factors, social resources and coping resources in the police context. The research is a qualitative explication of theoretical concepts and constructs, followed by a quantitative empirical survey design. The survey led to a Structural Equation Model (SEM) fit between empirical data and the Moos (1994) hypothesised stress and coping model. Seven measuring instruments were used to collect data. Job demands, work overload and uncertainty were identified as causes of work stress originating within the work situation. Respondents indicated that family members play a role in social support, although it decreases when stress increases. The SEM procedure revealed that social support and personality has a limited and direct effect on well-being when experiencing a positive affective state (vigour), with coping strategies deleted from the experimental model. Adversely, stress has a direct effect on well-being (and eventually burnout) with no moderating effects by the hypothesised variables. The study proposes a new Police Vigour and Burnout Model (PVBM) as an alignment to the Moos (1994) model. It is recommended that vigour and burnout, as outcomes of the stress and coping process, be included in future studies as obliquely related variables in other spheres of society. An additional proposal is that stress inducing features within the police organisation should be scrutinized and critically addressed to prevent negative psychological affects. / Industrial Psychology / D.Litt. et Phil. (Industrial and Organisational Psyschology)

Text in English / Police workers have to contend with a variety of traumatic incidents in their daily work. This includes work, personal and socio-economic stressors. These, if not managed, may lead to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The aim of this study was to develop guidelines to assist the South African Police Service (SAPS) organisation to provide appropriate interventions for workers diagnosed with work and non-work-related PTSD in the Mahikeng area of the North West Province in South Africa. The study further sought to assist the workers’ immediate family members to cope with living with a member diagnosed with PTSD. A qualitative research method was used. Data was collected using self-administered in-depth interviews. The study sample comprised of 19 SAPS workers and 23 family members. Data was analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0. The Excel computer program was used to identify and analyse common themes. A lower PTSD prevalence rate of 0.76% was yielded by the results. Work-related traumatic incidents were linked to possible PTSD development for most SAPS workers. Exposure to traumatic incidents might have had a substantial effect on participants’ health and social lives as most developed varying health conditions post to the PTSD diagnosis. Living with a member diagnosed with PTSD brought trauma, financial problems and constant worry among families. Families coped by supporting each other. The provision of counseling services and active participation in PTSD support groups and sport activities were identified by most participants as fundamental in coping with the effects of PTSD. The provision of sufficient integrated family counseling and life skills programmes by the SAPS organisation was identified as crucial by most families in coping with the effects of living with a member diagnosed with PTSD. / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)

The main purpose of this study is to explore the role spirituality plays in the coping of traffic officers within the South African Traffic Services. A sample of ten traffic officers participated in the study, and data was obtained by means of open-ended questions during in-depth and semi-structured interviews. The literature review aimed to conceptualise spirituality, to conceptualise coping, and to theoretically explore the role of spirituality in the coping of traffic officers. Specific aims for the empirical study were: to gain a better understanding of how traffic officers experience the role of spirituality in coping with their role within the South African context; to provide a framework that can assist with creating an understanding of the role spirituality plays in coping as a traffic officer; and to formulate recommendations for possible future research that explores the role of spirituality in the coping of traffic officers within the discipline of Industrial and Organisational Psychology, more specifically in employee and organisational wellness, and career counselling. The research findings showed that traffic officers in the sample all utilised spirituality in the workplace to various extents, and that they exhibited adaptive coping abilities when doing so. They associated less spirituality or a lack of spirituality with weaker coping abilities. It was found that spirituality in the traffic officers is informed by a foundation of spirituality or religion, purpose to their work and life, their connection to their spiritual source, and the fruits of spirituality. Their coping ability was influenced by upbringing and background, by stressors from their work environment and by coping mechanisms. The role of spirituality in the coping of traffic officers culminated in their ability to interpret the meaning of spirituality, and then to implement spirituality in order to cope. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M. Com. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)

Police officers provide emergency services to the public, while being simultaneously exposed to various organisational and social stressors over which they have little or no control. The outcome of this may be that highly committed and loyal police officers become psychologically and physically burned-out. Adversely, others may accept the same conditions and situations as a challenge and live an energetic and proactive life while experiencing a positive affective state (vigour) toward their duties. Officers who are burned-out may fail to meet their goal to protect the public, but eventually may suffer. The general objective of this study was to investigate vigour and burnout as obliquely related outcomes of the stress and coping process in terms of its dynamic relationship with challenges or threats, and the mediating role of personal factors, social resources and coping resources in the police context. The research is a qualitative explication of theoretical concepts and constructs, followed by a quantitative empirical survey design. The survey led to a Structural Equation Model (SEM) fit between empirical data and the Moos (1994) hypothesised stress and coping model. Seven measuring instruments were used to collect data. Job demands, work overload and uncertainty were identified as causes of work stress originating within the work situation. Respondents indicated that family members play a role in social support, although it decreases when stress increases. The SEM procedure revealed that social support and personality has a limited and direct effect on well-being when experiencing a positive affective state (vigour), with coping strategies deleted from the experimental model. Adversely, stress has a direct effect on well-being (and eventually burnout) with no moderating effects by the hypothesised variables. The study proposes a new Police Vigour and Burnout Model (PVBM) as an alignment to the Moos (1994) model. It is recommended that vigour and burnout, as outcomes of the stress and coping process, be included in future studies as obliquely related variables in other spheres of society. An additional proposal is that stress inducing features within the police organisation should be scrutinized and critically addressed to prevent negative psychological affects. / Industrial Psychology / D.Litt. et Phil. (Industrial and Organisational Psyschology)

This study investigates the relationship between traumatic events and PTSD among police officers in KwaZulu-Natal and the mediating effects of coping and social support. The aim of the study was to determine the incidence of PTSD among police officers and whether coping and social support structures act as mediating variables in the stress-illness realtionship. In order to achieve this aim an assessment battery containing Biographical Checklist, the Ways of Coping Checklist, The Index of Social Support and the Dutch Post Traumatic Stress Scale was distributed to a sample of police officers in Kwazulu-Natal. The findings indicate a high incidence of PTSD, among policemen although no significant relationship was found between exposure to traumatic events and PTSD. Further, emotion­ focused coping strategies, namely, self-blame and wishful thinking, were found to be predictive of PTSD. No significant relationship was established between the availability of social support and satisfaction with social support and PTSD. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M.A. (Industrial Psychology)

Text in English / Police workers have to contend with a variety of traumatic incidents in their daily work. This includes work, personal and socio-economic stressors. These, if not managed, may lead to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The aim of this study was to develop guidelines to assist the South African Police Service (SAPS) organisation to provide appropriate interventions for workers diagnosed with work and non-work-related PTSD in the Mahikeng area of the North West Province in South Africa. The study further sought to assist the workers’ immediate family members to cope with living with a member diagnosed with PTSD. A qualitative research method was used. Data was collected using self-administered in-depth interviews. The study sample comprised of 19 SAPS workers and 23 family members. Data was analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0. The Excel computer program was used to identify and analyse common themes. A lower PTSD prevalence rate of 0.76% was yielded by the results. Work-related traumatic incidents were linked to possible PTSD development for most SAPS workers. Exposure to traumatic incidents might have had a substantial effect on participants’ health and social lives as most developed varying health conditions post to the PTSD diagnosis. Living with a member diagnosed with PTSD brought trauma, financial problems and constant worry among families. Families coped by supporting each other. The provision of counseling services and active participation in PTSD support groups and sport activities were identified by most participants as fundamental in coping with the effects of PTSD. The provision of sufficient integrated family counseling and life skills programmes by the SAPS organisation was identified as crucial by most families in coping with the effects of living with a member diagnosed with PTSD. / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)

Thesis (MTech (Public Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016. / Absenteeism in the South African Police Service is without doubt one of the most difficult aspects to manage. It is therefore important for the organisation to have measures in place to reduce absenteeism. More focus is put on the cost of absenteeism without realising the enormous adverse effect it has on service delivery in the South African Police Service. By reducing the absenteeism rate by just one day per employee, organisations can boost productivity, improve morale and improve their profit margins significantly (Nel, 2013:1). This research project examined the impact on service delivery of time lost through absenteeism in the South African Police Service with specific reference to the Kuils River cluster Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa. Problems relating to absenteeism as well as the main contributors to absenteeism were identified by the researcher and recommendations were made. A quantitative research approach was followed with a survey amongst staff members. The data analysis from the questionnaire was compiled by the in-house statistician that was recommended by Cape Peninsula University of Technology. The research project makes recommendations that address the problems highlighted in this empirical study, as well as a recommendation for further studies.

Summaries in English, Afrikaans, Tsonga and Zulu / This study was driven by an observation by the Chaplain’s office in the Soweto East Cluster and its satellites for the need of a practical theological coaching intervention between the SAPS management and officers on the ground. The coaching intervention mentioned above would be focused largely on the challenge of the mental anxiety caused by the nature of work carried out by the SAPS in relation to its intentions to make the nation a more safe and secure environment for the citizens of South Africa. Naturally, the men and women who staff the SAPS are as human as the rest of us and therefore their state of mental health must not be separated from the rest of the nation. While the intervention is seen as necessary, it is not a replacement of other highly specialised interventions within the SAPS; it must be considered as complementary in the context of a socio- scientifically informed Practical Theology. The Zenith of Its contribution is therefore an attempt to harness the spirituality of officers in concurrence with the psychological and emotional aspects of their work. The study proceeds from the assumption, ‘no work unit is an island,’ thus, it argues for a dynamic synthesis of a practical-theological and psychological interaction of resources in the context of a systems thinking framework. While there are no rigid patterns in the dynamic work of the SAPS, an informed coaching mechanism will provide an informed theoretical synthesis for a robust on-the-ground decision-making process when urgently called upon. This study contends that, this is a paradigm shift from the traditional patterns of top-down management that so often lead to crises situations. The Chaplain’s office is seen as a strategic partner in this initiative given its non-threatening placement within the SAPS systems of work in relation to highly specialised services. / Hierdie studie was gedryf deur n waarneming by die kapelaan se kantoor in die Soweto Oos area en die satelliet kantore vir 'n behoefte van n praktiese teologiese afrigters intervensie tussen die SAPS bestuur en offisiere op grond vlak. Die afrigters ingryping bo genome, sal grotendeels fokus op die uitdaging van geestelike angstigheid veroorsaak deur die omvang van die werk wat gedoen word deur SAPD in verwantskap met die bedoeling om vir die nasie n veilige en beskermde omgewing te skep vir all inwoners van Suid Afrika. Die mans en dames is natuurlik net menslik soos die res van ons en daarom kan hulle geestelike gesondheid nie geskei word van die res van die nasie nie. Terwyl die ingryping noodsaaklik is is dit nie 'n vervanging van ander hoogs gespesialiseerde intervensies in die SAPD nie. Dit moet beskou word as 'n bydraende faktor in die konteks van wetenskaplike praktiese teologie. Die impak van die bydra is dus 'n poging om die geestelike welstand van offisiere te beheer in samewerking met die psigologiese en emosionele aspekte van hulle werk. Die studie beweeg van uit die aanname dat geen werk 'n eiland is nie. Dit argumenteer dat dinamiese samewerking van praktiese en psigologiese interaksie van bronne in die konteks van 'n system denke raamwerk. Terwyl daar geen vasgelêde patrone is in die dinamiese werk van die SAPD nie, sal 'n ingeligte afrigters meganisme help om n ingeligte teoretiese sintese vir 'n ernstige grond vlak besluitnemings proses te hê wanneer dit gevra word. Hierdie studie gaan van die veronderstellings dat n paridigma skuif geneem word van die tradisionele patrone van bestuur van bo na onder wat meestal lei tot krieses bestuur. Die kapelaan se kantoor word gesien as a strategiese vennoot in hierdie initiatief siende dat dit nie intimiderend geplaas is binne die SAPS systeem van werk in verhouding met hoogs gespesialiseerde dienste. / Lolu cwaningo lwasungulwa emveni kokuthi ihovisi likaChaplain elikwisifunda sase Mpumalanga ne Soweto laqaphela ukuthi abasebenzi abangamaphoyisa badinga usizo ngokwesimo somqondo-nkolo kuwo wonke amazinga okusebenza. Lokhu kususwa yimiqondo-simo ababa kuyona njalo uma bebhekana nezinselelo zomsebenzi wabo ezibhekene nokuphephisa isizwe. Lolu sizo abaludingayo kumele lubhekane nokuthi nabo bangabantu njengabo bonke abantu. Loluhlelo alubukeli phansi ezinye izinhlelo ezikhona embuthweni wamaphoyisa kodwa luzama ukuncedisana nazo zonke ezinye izinhlelo ezihlose ukulekelela isimo mqondo sabasebenzi bokuvikela umphakathi. Lengxenye yohlelo ibheke kakhulu ekulungiseni isimo somqondo ngakwezomoya. Loluhlelo lukulungele ukubheka wonke amacala esimo mqondo ngokwesimo sempilo, isimo sokholo kanye nayo yonke eminye imixhantela ebukeka inomthelela ekulungiseni noma ekukhuliseni impilo-mqondo yamaphoyisa. Lobu budlelwano bubukeka buhlukile kunalobu obujwayelekile ngoba buvula amathuba okuthi amaphoyisa abe yingxenye yohlelo olungawasiza abe engaphoqelekile ukuba yingxenye yalolohlelo. Ngokuthi ihovisi likaChaplain alikhethi macala yingakho lobuhlobo bubukeka sengathi bungaba nemiphumela emihle kunezinye ezike zabakhona ngaphambilini. / Dyondzo leyi yi hlohloteriwe hi leswi nga lemukiwa hi hofisi ya Mufundhisi-Wa-Maphorisa eka muganga wa Soweto-Vuxa ni swiyenge leswi va tirhisanaka na swona, va vona ku pfumaleka ka nghenelo-mpfuneto wa vudzaberi lebyi nga ni dyondzo yo khomeka ya ntivo-vukwembu exikarhi ka vufambisi bya vukorhokeri bya xiphorisa bya Afrika-Dzonga ni maphorisa entirhweni. Vudzaberi lebyi hlayiweke laha henhla a byi ta va byo xiyisisa hi vuenti ntlhontlho wa ku karhateka ka miehleketo loku vangiwaka hi muxaka wa ntirho wa xiphorisa mayelana ni ku tiyimisela ka xona ku pfuneta ku vumba rixaka leri hlayisekeke, leri nga ni ntshamiseko. Hambi leswi vudzaberi lebyi byi nga bya nkoka, a byi fanelanga ku bakanyela e tlhelo ni ku teka ndhawu ya mimpfuneto yin'wana leyo hlawuleka leyi se yi nga ku tirheni exiphoriseni, kambe byi fanele ku voniwa tanihi ndlela yo seketela hi ku languta hi ku katsakanya dyondzo yo khomeka ya Ntivo-vukwembu leyi nga ni risima hi ku languta ntshamo wa vutomi lowu tiyisisiweke hi vumbhoni bya xisayense. Xikongomelo-nkulu xa mpfuneto lowu i ku ringeta ku tiyisa vutomi bya ximoya bya maphorisa hi ku tirhisana ni miehleketo na ku titwa ka vona entirhweni. Dyondzo leyi yi pfelela eka ku teka tanihi ntiyiso ntshaho lowu nge 'ku hava xiphemu xa ntirho lexo kotisa xihlala ku tiyimela xoxe', hi ndlela leyi, ntshaho lowu wu koxa leswaku ku va ni ku katsakanya swiyenge swo hambana hambana. Hambi leswi ku nga ri ki ni mikhuva yo nonohela ncinco exiphoriseni, ndlela ya vudzaberi lebyi fambisanaka ni vutivi yi ta tisa matirhelo ya vutlhari yo pfuneta ku teka swiboho leswi vupfeke loko ku va ni xilaveko xa sweswo. Dyondzo leyi yi ri xikolo-kolo leswi i ku cinca lokukulu ni ku dzuvula ku huma eka mikhuva ya xikhale ya muxaka wa vufambisi byo kombetela hi tintiho, swi nga swona leswi vangaka swiyimo swa mintlimbo ni nkelunkelu. Hofisi ya Mufundhisi-Wa-Maphorisa yi voniwa tanihi mukondleteri wa nkoka eka xipimanyeto lexi hi ku ya hi ndzima leyi boxiwaka hi hofisi leyi hi ku pfumala nxungeto eka matirhelo ya xiphorisa ya vukorhokeri byo hlawuleka ni bya risima. / Practical Theology / M. Th. (Practical Theology)