RESEARCH
“There is no place to vent. Instead, stress is allowed to build up until we break. “Canteens meant a way to unwind
and chill and talk after dealing with that sudden death of a two-year-old or fatal RTC … the SLT say they wanna axe canteen culture but all I remember was laughs and support from your team after a slog job.”
With the shrinking of the police
estate, staggered shifts, single crewing and reliance on the use of mobile data, opportunities to gather in the workplace have diminished, leading to a sense of isolation among officers. The lack of social interaction and team bonding negatively impacts morale and makes it harder for officers to support each other effectively. Shared break spaces play a crucial role in fostering team bonding and building relationships among officers. When officers had the opportunity to take breaks together, they could discuss their experiences, share insights, and support each other. This camaraderie helped build trust and a sense of community within the team.
MANAGEMENT AND ORGANISATIONAL SUPPORT There is a perceived lack of support from senior management in ensuring officers get adequate breaks. “Being hassled by the control room or the sergeants who want you straight back out there or want a result to a call.” Many feel that their wellbeing is not prioritised. This lack of support leads to feelings of neglect among officers. Ensuring that officers have access to proper break facilities can have a positive impact on their mental health. The perceived lack of support from senior
management is a significant concern for officers. Many feel that their wellbeing is not prioritised, and there are no provisions to ensure they get adequate breaks or access to proper facilities, contributing to low morale and increased stress.
IMPLICATIONS FOR POLICING Police canteen culture has been much maligned by police researchers. However, as the research above proves there are many positives linked to police workplace socialisation. Eminent policing researchers argue that ‘canteen culture’—characterised by solidarity and camaraderie - can positively impact officer wellbeing and overall policing (Waddington, 1999; Loftus, 2010). In fact, Atherton (2012) assures us that canteen culture can promote professionalism and an action centred approach to policing. This culture helps officers cope with job-related stress and public demands. Crank (2001) suggests that camaraderie and loyalty are crucial in police culture, providing support and reassurance in dangerous situations, which is essential for officers dealing with trauma and the realities of policing. The withdrawal of appropriate
facilities and adequate time set aside for breaks suggests officers are not valued and are regularly treated like automatons whose basic human needs are not being met. In time, this has the potential to add to physical and mental health problems, increasing absences and long-term retention.
CONCLUSION The research, so far, highlights significant concerns regarding the wellbeing of police officers in the context of diminishing shared spaces and inadequate break facilities. The
findings underscore the critical role that proper break provisions and supportive management play in maintaining officers’ mental health and overall job satisfaction. The lack of breaks, inadequate facilities, and feelings of isolation contribute to high levels of stress and mental health issues among officers. To address these challenges, it is essential for police forces to prioritise the wellbeing of their officers by ensuring sufficient breaks are provided, access to suitable break spaces, fostering a supportive work environment, and encouraging team bonding. By taking these steps, police forces can help mitigate the negative impacts of a changing police estate and promote a healthier, more resilient workforce.
Atherton, S. (2012). Cops and Bloggers: Exploring the presence of police culture on the web. Internet Journal of Criminology. Crank, J. P. (2001). Book Review: Rethinking Police Culture: Officers’ Occupational Attitudes. Criminal Justice Review, 26(2). https://doi. org/10.1177/073401680102600220 LBC. (2022). Police stations closing at
the rate of one per week, LBC reveals. [online] Available at:
https://www.lbc.
co.uk/news/police-stations-closing- one-per-week-lbc-reveals/. (Accessed: 16 July 2025)
Loftus, B. (2010). Police occupational
culture: Classic themes, altered times. Policing and Society, 20(1). https://doi. org/10.1080/10439460903281547 Waddington, P. (1999). Police
(canteen) sub-culture. An appreciation. British Journal of Criminology, 39(2).
https://doi.org/10.1093/bjc/39.2.287
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19 | POLICE | OCTOBER | 2025
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