The fourth annual Police officer job satisfaction survey results are in. This year the results are stunning. The majority of cops report they wish they had become firefighters.
This year the survey was sent out to a random selection of full time sworn police officers from across the USA. As in past years officers reported dissatisfaction with pay rates, shift work and public perception of police. This year officers also one again reported getting workplace pleasure from autonomy, workplace friendships, and being paid to drive fast.
This year for the first time in nearly twenty years, the majority of officers when asked “if you had it to do over would you still seek a career in police work” said no. Nearly 66% of respondents indicated they wish they had not become cops.
A follow up question for persons saying they wish they sought a different career path was “if you had it to do over what other career path would you pick”. 80% of the respondents who answered this question indicated “Firefighter”.
The survey was only a quantitative measure of statistical data. There were no subjective questions asking for explanations to answers. Leaving more questions than answers. Criminal Justice researchers say they will be doing follow up studies to better understand the data.