📄 Abstract
Motivation in police service is not sustained by commitment alone; it is continually shaped by the organizational realities officers encounter in their daily work. This study explored the lived experiences of police officers assigned to the Headquarters Support Service in relation to work motivation and job satisfaction. It examined situations that strengthened or weakened motivation, factors influencing the performance of duties, the meanings officers assigned to job satisfaction, workplace challenges, and coping strategies. A qualitative descriptive phenomenological design was employed with 20 sworn police officers selected through purposive sampling. Data were gathered through one-on-one semi-structured interviews conducted according to participant preference and analyzed through a phenomenologically oriented thematic process. The findings indicated that motivation and job satisfaction were strengthened when officers experienced meaningful service and accomplishment, recognition, supportive relationships, clear guidance, fair supervision, adequate resources, manageable demands, professional growth, and belonging. Conversely, heavy or repetitive workload, unclear tasking, poor communication, inadequate resources, insufficient recognition, perceived unfairness, negative workplace relationships, and emotional strain weakened motivation and fulfillment. Participants understood job satisfaction as a developing sense of fulfillment associated with accomplishment, service, recognition, respectful relationships, growth, stability, and well-being. Coping involved emotional self-regulation, positive reframing, practical task management, help-seeking, faith and family support, collegial support, rest and recovery, physical activity, hobbies, and renewed connection to professional identity and service purpose. Taken together, the findings show that motivation and job satisfaction were context-sensitive experiences produced through the interaction of personal commitment and organizational conditions. The study recommends strengthening task clarity, communication, recognition, fair supervision, workload and resource management, teamwork, personnel well-being, and professional development within the Headquarters Support Service.
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📚 How to Cite:
Maria Nikka Trisha G. Merano , EXPLORING THE LIVED EXPERIENCES OF POLICE OFFICERS ON WORK MOTIVATION AND JOB SATISFACTION IN THE HEADQUARTERS SUPPORT SERVICE , Volume 12 , Issue 9, September 2026, EPRA International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research (IJMR) , Pages: 594 - 602 , DOI: https://doi.org/10.36713/epra29053