Emotional Intelligence of Law Enforcement Officers: Research Prospects

The article provides a theoretical justification for the necessity of applying a metacognitive approach to the study of emotional intelligence among law enforcement officers. Through a conceptual analysis and critical comparison of foreign and domestic models of emotional intelligence, significant limitations have been identified: the narrow operational focus of ability development models and the conceptual vagueness of mixed models. The research demonstrates that the metacognitive approach, which integrates the traditions of domestic psychology (the unity of affect and intelligence), helps to overcome the existing methodological gap and provides a theoretical foundation for the mechanisms of developing emotional competence through reflection and metacognitive control. During the study, key metacognitive components of emotional intelligence were identified: emotional awareness (as monitoring), self-regulation (as control), and reflection of emotional experience (as the foundation for competence development). A direct correlation has been established between the level of metacognitive competence and the effectiveness of stress coping strategies application. Special attention is paid to the study of the relationship between insufficient metacognitive competence and the use of destructive coping strategies, which is crucial for the prevention of professional burnout and personality deformation among employees. The practical significance of the research lies in the possibility of using the obtained results in the development of comprehensive programs for professional training and psychological support of law enforcement officers. The research materials can be applied to improve the training system aimed at enhancing stress resistance and preventing professional risks. The scientific novelty of the research consists in attempting to substantiate the creation of an integrative model of emotional intelligence through the lens of a metacognitive approach, which opens up new perspectives for studying this issue in the context of professional activities of law enforcement officers.