Identifying sources of occupational stress among tactical police officers in Canada

Purpose Police officers face elevated risks of occupational stress injuries (OSIs) arising from organizational and operational pressures. Less is known about police tactical (TAC) officers, who respond to the most high-risk and volatile incidents, and what components of their job roles and workspaces are likely to cause stress and contribute to OSIs and posttraumatic stress injuries (PTSIs). Design/methodology/approach This qualitative study relied on 24 semi-structured interviews with two full-time municipal TAC teams in Canada to unpack how occupational stress affects their health. Findings TAC officers experience stress eclectically, where organizational and operational stressors interact to impact well-being. Operational stressors included near-miss incidents, calls involving children, threats to family dynamics, and exposure to extreme violence. Organizational stressors included strained relations with leadership, insufficient resources, limited training venues and cumbersome paperwork. Originality/value While research consistently links years of police service with declining mental health, little empirical research examines TAC teams specifically. This study identifies key stressors within the TAC workspace and their implications for officer well-being.