Exploring the Mental Well-Being Management Experiences among Police Officers in the Narcotics Crime Investigation Department

Mental health is vital to each individual including emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects the way of think, feel, and act, and plays an important role in determining how to manage stress, relate to others, and make choices. The study aims to explore the mental well-being management among police officers in the Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (JSJN) using the interview approach as primary data and secondary data from the collection of scientific material, theses, magazines/journals, and journals. The method of research is qualitative, where key data is collected through interviews with five (5) Inspector-level Police Officers in the Narcotics Crime Investigation Department around Klang Valley. The study has two (2) objectives: first (1) to identify and understand the specific stresses and hazards faced by JSJN Police Officers, and second (2) to understand the existing coping mechanisms and resources utilized by NCID Police Officers to manage stress and pressure, and contributing to broader research on stress management in high-pressure environments. The majority of respondents shared their real stories and experiences while conducting the assignment, forming the foundation of this research. Studies show that the main problem with the pressure faced by JSJN Police Officers is the attitude of employers who always want the success of operations in the short term and are irrelevant to pursuing the established KPI. However, all respondents acknowledged that they had made every effort to the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to create success with teamwork provided and good understanding amongst each other. Although JSJN police officers have demonstrated their professionalism while performing their duties, there are still some important issues that need to be addressed to improve their officers' mental well-being so that the task of fighting drug crime can be carried out along with good mental health. The results of this study also showed the need for JSJN's top management to examine the pressure that each of its employees is experiencing so as not to harm the department in the future. The pursuit of "immediate success" should also be investigated to ensure that it is not driven by "interested individuals" to pursue popularity and recognition of a particular individual profile. Among the methods that can be done is an open dialogue between the top management of JSJN and the lower level. This approach has been able to support and improve the mental well-being of JSJN police officers and further improve the overall quality of performance of the Narcotics Crime Investigation Department, Royal Malaysia Police.