Avoiding “I’m Outta’ Here”: Police Administrators’ Power to Improve Officer Morale

The morale of police officers is at an unprecedented low, resulting in soaring turnover rates, stress, and sick leave. Officers’ perception of agency support is a significant contributing factor. This presentation offers practical recommendations on how police administrators can improve officer morale on two fronts: minimizing avoidable agency stressors and maximizing employees’ perceived support and pride in their work. Minimizing agency stressors includes commitments to peer support, culturally competent mental health clinicians, trained chaplains, and leadership practices that prioritize employee well-being. Maximizing officers’ perceived support includes strengthening trust and committing to direct, open communication. In this way, agencies can improve retention and performance.