HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT, WORK LIFE BALANCE AND POLICE PERFORMANCE: A MIXED METHOD ANALYSIS

Abstract

This study looks at how human resource management policies affect the day-to-day performance of Punjab Police officers in Pakistan. It focuses on whether keeping a healthy work-life balance helps officers do their jobs better, and how intense job stress gets in the way. By surveying 384 active officers through the department's digital HRMIS system and interviewing 15 station commanders, the research shows that clear career paths and transparent leave policies greatly improve field performance. When officers can balance their work and family lives, they are sharper on duty, faster to respond to emergencies, and friendlier to the community. However, the study finds that working grueling 16-to-18-hour shifts creates massive job stress that quickly ruins these benefits, leading to exhaustion and field errors. The paper concludes that the Punjab Police should update its digital system to automatically block excessive overtime and offer confidential mental health support to keep officers healthy and effective.