The meaning of workload in carrying out field tasks: A Phenomenological Study

Abstract

Workload in the police environment, particularly among Sat Samapta personnel, has broad physical and psychological implications. The demands of full-time readiness, sudden assignments, and dual responsibilities involving field and administrative duties make workload not only a matter of task volume but also a source of emotional pressure. This study aims to understand the subjective meaning of workload as experienced by members of the Sidoarjo Police Sat Samapta Unit. Using a qualitative approach with Colaizzi's phenomenological method, this study involved six active Sat Samapta personnel selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed to identify the central themes of their work experiences. The findings show that workload is shaped by personnel imbalance, changing organizational policies, and high public expectations. Its impacts include physical fatigue, emotional stress, health problems, and role conflict in personal life. At the same time, personnel demonstrated various coping strategies, including problem-focused and emotion-focused coping, which reflect their efforts to adapt to work pressure. This study highlights the importance of understanding workload as a multidimensional phenomenon involving perception, emotion, and adaptive action. The practical implications of this study point to the need for more humane work policies, balanced task distribution, and psychosocial support to maintain personnel well-being and sustainable police performance.