JOB RELATED STRESS AND HEALTH CHALLENGES AMONG POLICE OFFICIALS: A STUDY OF CHANDIGARH POLICE

The present paper investigates the intricate relationship between the occupational demands of police work and the health-related challenges experienced by police officials in the Union Territory of Chandigarh. The research was conducted across eleven police stations in Chandigarh, involving a sample of 231 respondents. This sample included 16 Inspectors, 31 Sub-Inspectors, 41 Assistant Sub-Inspectors, and 143 Head Constables. Through an in-depth analysis of work patterns, including shift duties, extended working hours, and irregular rest periods, the study highlights the physical and psychological toll of policing. The findings reveal that prolonged exposure to high-stress environments, combined with inadequate rest and recovery time, contributes significantly to both mental health concerns—such as stress and insomnia—and physical ailments.