City Research Online

Abstract

The policing profession in the UK is facing significant challenges, with recent Home Office reports indicating increasing numbers of officers leaving the service and the Police Federation's national survey highlighting widespread low morale. Within this broader context, internal misconduct investigations represent a significant, often stressful experience for officers. This study explores the lived experiences of eight police officers who have undergone such investigations. Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), semi-structured interviews were conducted to understand how officers experienced the investigative processes and how they made sense of these emotionally charged events.

The inductive analysis identified five Group Experiential Themes: Psychological and Emotional Upheaval; Professional Identity Crisis and Career Instability; Perceived Organisational Betrayal and Procedural Injustice; Social Isolation and Relational Strain; and Moral Injury and Existential Recalibration. The findings illustrate the polarised nature of officers' experiences: some participants felt indispensable as they continued working yet simultaneously feared dismissal. Officers often used metaphors - such as "sinking ship" or "crashing off a cliff" - to convey the intensity of their emotional and existential struggles, highlighting the difficulty in expressing their complex feelings through conventional language.

The study also uncovered officers’ deep emotional distress, long-term psychological consequences, and challenges to their professional identity. Many participants reported feelings of organisational betrayal and perceived a lack of fairness and support, which exacerbated feelings of isolation and relational strain, both within the organisation and in their personal lives. Additionally, previously unexplored moral and existential dilemmas emerged, as officers navigated profound questions about their integrity, purpose, and disillusionment with the policing profession.

These findings provide valuable insights into the diverse ways police officers experience internal misconduct investigations. While the study does not seek to generalise, it highlights the profound emotional and existential toll these processes can take. The research emphasises the importance of understanding each officer’s individual experience in context, revealing how systemic factors and personal vulnerability intersect to influence their well-being and professional identity.

By focusing on these lived experiences, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of the often-overlooked personal and emotional dimensions of misconduct investigations. The findings may inform the development of more empathetic support systems and interventions within police organisations, encouraging a culture that prioritises the well-being and resilience of officers during and after misconduct investigations.

Publication Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine
Departments:	School of Health & Medical Sciences > Psychology School of Health & Medical Sciences > School of Health & Medical Sciences Doctoral Theses Doctoral Theses

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