Police officers who are parents are being asked to participate in a new research study examining the realities of balancing family life with the demands of policing.
The study, “Balancing the Badge and the Home,” explores how shift work, stress, police culture and parenting responsibilities affect officers and their families. Researchers say the findings could help agencies better understand work-family strain and improve support systems for officers raising children.
Currently employed sworn officers who are parents or guardians of at least one child are eligible to participate. The anonymous survey takes about 15 minutes to complete.
Researchers are seeking responses from officers across all ranks, agency sizes and family structures.
Take the survey here. The survey closes Aug. 31, 2026.
