Under Pressure

Abstract

Monitoring radio messages while driving is an omnipresent dual-task combination in police work, but it is also one that is considered unsafe for regular drivers. Whereas regular drivers are expected to fully prioritize the driving task, police officers typically do not have the option to stop their car to attend important incoming messages, nor can they afford an uninformed arrival at the scene. A novel method for the visualization of observational data shows that police work is highly fragmented, and suggests that frequent reports on work overload are related to dual- task involvement in this fragmented workflow. Therefore, a series of experimental studies have been conducted to understand the mechanics that underlie and result from task prioritization in a dynamic complex socio-technical system, such as the police context. Methodological implications are presented for the interpretation of tradeoffs between task performance and mental effort as function of task prioritization. Furthermore, practical implications are presented for the development of information technology in police vehicles. Finally, recommendations for future research include the validation of an integrated model on coping strategies, task prioritization, and dual-task switching.