This study examined the perceived work stress levels among police officers of color and white officers from three Midwestern law enforcement agencies. A perceived police job stress survey that consisted of five categories (police job stress, felt stress, coping strategies, adverse outcomes, and workplace participation) was sent out via Survey Monkey through participating agency email systems. The survey was emailed to 532 licensed police officers and correctional officers, the response rate was 57.7% (n=304). The results of the survey found that the racial composition of the command staff of a law enforcement organization influences the police organizational stress levels of those not represented. The study also found that officers of color experienced higher levels of police organizational stress than white officers. Socioeconomic class was found to have minimal influence on the perceived job stress levels of officers until examined in conjunction with race
