Introduction: Special Enforcement Officers (SEOs) in the Netherlands, employed by municipalities to enforce regulations in public spaces, are frequently exposed to aggression and violence, increasing their risk of psychological issues. The “Psychosocial Support for High-Risk Professions” guidelines provide a basis for assessing SEOs’ psychosocial support needs; however, existing support practices often fall short of addressing the unique demands of their roles. As SEOs’ tasks and responsibilities continue to expand, their specific psychosocial support needs must be better understood and addressed. Methods: A mixed-methods approach was applied, including a document review and semi-structured interviews with SEOs and their supervisors. Document analysis identified existing preventive strategies and evidence-based best practices, creating a preliminary list of psychosocial needs. A total of 17 SEOs and 10 supervisors were interviewed, focusing on SEOs’ support needs, best practices, and policy gaps across different municipalities and geographic regions. Qualitative thematic analysis was used to uncover recurring themes, particularly where formal support policies diverged from SEOs’ practical experiences and perceived needs. Results: Significant variability was found in perceived support levels, with smaller municipalities frequently offering fewer formal resources. Informal peer support emerged as a primary source of reassurance and solidarity among SEOs, while formal support, when provided, was more effective when supervisors had enforcement experience. A critical issue identified was ambiguity in SEOs’ roles, particularly regarding their overlap with police duties. This role ambiguity fosters confusion and insecurity, amplifying stress and diminishing the impact of other support measures. SEOs consistently emphasized that without a clear role definition, other support needs remain challenging to address effectively. Conclusion: The findings highlight the need for an enhanced psychosocial support framework that includes clear role definitions, access to structured support systems, and acknowledgment of SEOs’ unique challenges. Addressing the foundational issue of role ambiguity is essential for reducing psychological risks and fostering resilience among SEOs.
Jansen et al. (Sun,) studied this question.