Rethinking success in policing: a moderation model of specialism’s interaction with self-reported competence, specialism endorsement, wellbeing and organisational support

Abstract This study explored specialism within policing in England and Wales, aiming to identify how personal, social, and contextual factors influence the implementation and perception of specialist roles and units. Through an online survey designed to capture current, former, and retired officers’ views on their competence, job satisfaction, and organisational support, the study sought to quantitatively assess whether 209 officers perceived specialism as beneficial for policing. Qualitative insights on survey responses were also captured. Previous research showed that, while specialism is widely adopted in policing, its operational effectiveness and the clarity of its definition are not nationally established. Many officers reported that the level of organisational support and specialist role availability can affect how satisfied they are with their police force. In this study, work satisfaction levels, wellbeing, and competence were reportedly higher for officers with prior experience of specialism. Moderation and mediation analyses showed that the interaction between specialism, organisational dynamics, and the other scale variables has substantial implications for officers’ self-perception of competence and overall job satisfaction. The findings also highlight the need for a clearer understanding and better contextualisation of specialism within police forces to enhance the effectiveness of specialist units and promote officers’ wellbeing. This novel research underscores the importance of fostering supportive environments that empower officers to thrive in specialist roles. It also suggests that officers’ needs and evidence-based practice should inform systemic change for specialism.