Causes of Occupational Stress among Traffic Police Officers in Urban Tanzania: Evidence from Msimbazi, Dar es Salaam

Abstract

Purpose: This study identified the causes of occupational stress among traffic police officers at Msimbazi Police Station in Ilala District, Dar es Salaam, one of the busiest traffic-policing environments in Tanzania.

Design/methodology/approach: A convergent parallel mixed-methods design guided by the Job Demands–Resources (JD-R) Theory and the Transactional Theory of Stress and Coping was used. Questionnaires were completed by 200 of 218 sampled respondents (91.7%), and 14 key informants, including senior traffic officers and guidance and counselling officials, were interviewed. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, and qualitative data thematically.

Findings: Occupational stress was high (overall mean = 3.95). Long working hours (M = 4.03; 81.0% agreement), poor working conditions (M = 4.01; 80.0%) and heavy workload (M = 4.00; 79.0%) were the strongest stressors, followed by exposure to public aggression (M = 3.89; 75.0%) and lack of support from superiors (M = 3.80; 71.0%). Interviews showed that extended shifts without adequate rest and confrontations with aggressive road users reduced officers’ concentration, energy and composure.

Research limitations/implications: The study was confined to one urban station and relied on self-reported perceptions, which limits generalisation.

Practical implications: Because the main stressors are organisational rather than individual, police administrators should prioritise fair shift rotation, adequate rest, balanced workloads, better working facilities and stronger supervisory support.