Turnover intention among Indian police: Do organizational and community stressors matter?. (September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Anand, Vaijayanthee; Verma, Luv; Santhanam, Nivethitha; Grover, Atipriya
• Is Part Of: Journal of criminal justice. Volume 82(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-09
• Subjects: Police stress -- Burnout -- Turnover intention -- Machine learning model -- Organizational stressors -- Community stressors -- India; Criminal justice, Administration of -- Periodicals; Justice pénale -- Administration -- Périodiques; 364.05
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2022.101969
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0047-2352

Abstract

Abstract: Purpose: This study investigates the influence of organizational (abusive supervision, organizational support, and interpersonal trust) and community (political interference and perceived crime rate) stressors on police turnover intention via the mediating role of burnout. Methods: A total of 492 police personnel from India participated in the study. Structured Equation Modeling (SEM) was performed for testing hypotheses. Additionally, a machine learning model was built to develop concurrent predictive capability for burnout and turnover intention. Results: While abusive supervision and political interference positively influenced police turnover intention, co-worker trust, perceived organizational support and perceived crime rate negatively contributed to turnover intention. Burnout was found to significantly mediate the relationship between stressors and turnover intention. The machine learning model developed for the study that indicated an accuracy of 85% asserted that about 60% of the sample who suffered from burnout were also prone to developing a positive attitude towards turnover intention. Conclusion: This study is among the first to empirically explore the precursors to police turnover intention in India and establish the role of burnout in the turnover process. Based on the findings, the police organization can introduce and modify policies and practices to help control high employee turnover. Highlights: Abusive supervision in policing can increase the likelihood of subordinate turnover intention. Investing in developing trust among co-workers and a supportive environment can significantly diminish the intention to quit. Police personnel who experience burnout are at a high risk of voluntarily leaving their job. Police personnel's perception of a high crime rate in their work jurisdiction reduces the chances of turnover intention. Efforts to minimize political interference can ease the cases of turnover intention.