This paper addresses major themes in psychological training for policework. Law enforcement is desperately in need of a better understanding of the psychological dynamics of crisis intervention.
1,900 words (approx. 7.6 pages), 6 sources, 2002, $ 71.95
Abstract This paper addresses major themes in psychological training for policework. Law enforcement is desperately in need of a better understanding of the psychological dynamics of crisis intervention. The paper enumerates areas in which the study of psychology and behavior can augment or drastically change law enforcement officers' approach.
Abstract This paper reviews how policing has evolved over the last half-century. Along the way, the paper examines organizational developments, changes in the relationship between the general public and police officers, and changes between rank-and-file officers and their superiors. Not to be overlooked, the paper pauses to reflect on changes in personnel and also delves into some broad theories which have proved influential. In the end, the paper concludes that policing today is better than in the past and adjusted capably to a half-century of change.
From the Paper "American policing has undergone many profound changes over the past several decades. From being authoritarian, punishment-focused and top-down only a couple of generations ago to being a more collaborative, educative and bottom-up organization today, policing in America's urban centers has changed in ways that mirror the broader changes in American society. The following paper examines the evolution of police-community interaction over the past half-century and also examine how the attitudes of police officers have changed as the world around them has changed."
Abstract This paper discusses the process of managing change when adapting information technology (IT) to new uses. It discusses the need for core technology with enabling technology, which enables the core to achieve certain specific tasks. The paper particularly focuses on a police agencies, using mobile data terminals that have been adapted to the specific needs of policework.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
IT and Change
Management and IT
Traditional v. High-Technology Companies
Mobile Data Terminals
Conclusion
From the Paper "In New York City, the NYPD is not the only police agency operating in the city. The Port Authority Police Department is another such entity, with a jurisdiction that ranges over a radius of twenty-five miles and covers all of the major arteries into New York City. JFK alone encompasses 5,000 acres with ten terminals and can be seen as being like a small city. The PAPD has an authorized strength of 1,400 police. AS in most departments, the PAPD commanding officers use the analytical data they can gather so that they can recognize anticipated public safety threats and allocate their resources to those threats. State-of-the-art communication capabilities are an important component of this preventive strategy, and to this end, the PAPD has placed mobile data terminals inside police cars to enable police to communicate immediately with motor vehicle bureaus and other government entities for fast background checks of detained persons (Morrone, 1998, paras. 9-12)."
Abstract This paper explains that the social technology of crisis intervention is recommended training for all law enforcement officers who are responsible for immediate management of a crisis situation; whereas, the social technology of hostage negotiations is recommended training for special teams where bargaining is required. The author points out that the immediate management in crisis intervention is essential to interrupt ineffective, maladaptive behavior brought about by stress and tension in an individual's life. The paper relates that both crisis intervention and hostage negotiations require a specialized training curriculum including special training for units working on terrorism and terrorist activities.
Table of Contents
Key Concerns that Differentiate Crisis Intervention and Hostage Negotiations
Tactics Differences Between Crisis Intervention and Hostage Negotiations
Training Similarities and Differences Between Crisis Intervention and Hostage Negotiations
Conclusion
From the Paper "Circumstances requiring hostage negotiations are more commonly publicized than those requiring only crisis intervention tactics. Hostage negotiations include such events as situations with a kidnapper in a known location, as opposed to an unknown location where control is not possible, hostage taking, barricade situations and suicide attempts.
The foregoing definitions differentiate crisis intervention from negotiation situations involving hostages in that crisis intervention focuses on immediate management whereas hostage negotiations "seek peaceful resolution of a dangerous situation" with time being a plus factor, in most instances, for negotiators."
Tags: fbi, first-aid, family, curriculum, bargaining, terror
Abstract In keeping with what he characterizes as his psychodynamic approach to policework, Phillip Bonifacio, in his work, "The Psychological Effects of PoliceWork," maintains that stress among officers is not merely a response to job-related conditions, but is an inevitable consequence of unconscious factors that draw men to policework in the first place. This report takes a look at some of Bonifacio's conclusions in terms of summary before going on to compare them with other existing sources of information.
From the Paper "As has already been noted, Bonifacio does not regard job-related stressors as sufficient in themselves to be responsible for such pathology, which is instead seen by him as a result of the psychological conflicts, which find expression in the desire to enter police work in the first place. Thus, Bonifacio cites the literature as providing support for the view that "the evidence for the existence of special stressors in police work is inconclusive," and that "the hypothesis that police work is more stressful than all other occupations is also not supported.""
Abstract The paper explains how Sir Robert Peel ushered in modern policing by establishing an ethical system for the police. The paper explains that while there have been significant changes in policework since Peel's time, his principles remain the foundation for modern police ethical systems. The paper identifies the nine principles, which include the primary function of police, public approval of police actions, the public in voluntary observance of the law and how physical force lessens public co-operation. The principles also discuss impartial service to the law, inappropriate use of physical force, how police are not separate from the public but part of the public, separation of the police and judiciary and finally, the test of police efficiency. The paper concludes that these principles continue to guide the actions of modern law enforcement agencies.
From the Paper "Peel's first principle states: "the basic mission for which the police exist is to prevent crime and disorder." (New Westminster Police Service, 2006). The primary function of police today continues to be the prevention of crime. The successful resolution of unsolved crimes can aid in crime prevention, because most crimes are committed by recidivists. Therefore, the fact that modern police spend much of their time solving crimes does not detract from the fact that the basic mission of the police is crime prevention."
Abstract Community policing has become a significant area of focus in policework in recent years as urban and suburban departments have fought increasing levels of crime. The effect of community policing has largely been positive, with crime rates reduced substantially in some areas (New York City, for example) and with positive reactions from both law enforcement agencies and the public at large.
From the Paper "Community policing has become a significant area of focus in police work in recent years as urban and suburban departments have fought increasing levels of crime. The effect of community policing has largely been positive, with crime rates reduced substantially in some areas (New York City, for example) and with positive reactions from both law enforcement agencies and the public at large. Despite the progress that has been made, critics charge that community policing is a vague concept that can encompass everything from merely hiring additional officers to having officers take a proactive role in preventing crime rather than simply reacting to it. Some have proposed that total quality management (TQM), a tool used in industry, can be applied to law enforcement in general, and to community policing in particular. This research..."
Abstract This analytical research report discusses the debatable issue of the much-needed ethical behavior in working milieu. The research paper highlights the fundamental characteristics, a well-drafted research design, a separate section of suggestions; a works cited page and an appendix featuring important data and relevant diagrams pertaining to the organizational behavior theory and the underlying ethical issues.
Ethics And Organizations
Ethics and Ethical Behavior: A Challenge for Organizations
Unethical Behavior in Organizations
Reasons for Unethical Behavior in Organizations
Prevalent Justifications of Unethical Behavior Results from Baucus and Near's Research Model
Social Systems and Behavior Need for Organizational Behavioral Theory
What is Organizational Behavior?
Purpose of Organizational Behavior An Overview of Organizational Behavior and its Cardinal Components
Basic Models of Organizational Behaviors Pragmatic Suggestions for Amelioration
Future Direction
Works Cited Page
Appendix
Figures
From the Paper "Individuals working towards a common goal for personal as well as combined benefits form institutions popularly called "organizations" or "associations". These firms or companies formulating and providing a challenging and a learning working environment, also consist of moral, social as well as professional values, rules and regulations that all the employees at all levels have to abide by. This is essential for an efficient organization to remain profitable on long-term basis. For the same matter, an individual working for an organization must have the ethical and social values similar to that of the organizations in order to generate the desired result. Because if their values are incompatible, neither the organization nor the individuals working for it can benefit, paving way for the ethical issues to emerge and providing leeway for affected productivity to dominate the working set-up (Drucker: 65)."
Abstract The paper discusses that policing is a unique industry that attracts certain specific personality traits and fosters the development of other related behavioral characteristics even among those not necessarily naturally inclined toward those particular elements of personality. The paper states that according to many industrial psychology theorists, the choice of policing as a vocation is primarily a reflection of pre-existing "unique" personality traits; others maintain that police candidates share less psychological uniformity before their appointment to law enforcement positions and that it is vocational socialization and the experience of policing that emphasizes and reinforces many of the personality traits that veteran officers have been observed to share. The paper states that in all likelihood, both factors contribute to any common aspects of personality in policing, just as they contribute, in some combination or another, to commonalities of personality and behavior amongst other vocational identities.
Outline:
Introduction
Unique Personality Traits and the Effect of Vocational Socialization and Experience
Conclusion
From the Paper "Similarly, some degree of pre-existing assertiveness in personality is also advantageous to law enforcement employment, because forcefulness of personality and intimidation are tactical requirements in many situations (Dantzker, p. 346). Therefore, much of police training and experience also cultivates it continued development. In a practical sense, appointment to a sworn police position undoubtedly appeals very naturally to the authoritarian personality trait as well, but the functional realities of police work (especially among patrol or "line" officers) tend to magnify any natural personal psychological inclination toward authoritativeness."
Abstract This paper examines a number of theories regarding police deviance or corruption. It explains how some believe it is inherent in the work itself, coupled with the power afforded officers, the isolating subculture of police departments, the low pay, and lack of close supervision. On the contrary, it shows how some believe it is the combination of weak character of a selected few "rotten apples" not properly screened out of the hiring process, once they are linked to opportunity and temptation.
From the Paper "What is a slippery slope? Dr. Tom O?Connor states it is "the potential for gradual deterioration of socio-moral inhibitions and perceived sense of permissibility for deviant conduct" (O"Connor 2002). He points out that police are involved on a routine basis in undercover work which involves taking on false identities and inducing crime. Police are allowed to make false promises to hostage takers and kidnappers. Police feed disinformation to the media. Police are trained to be deceptive at interviewing and interrogation"(O?Connor 2002)."
Abstract This essay examines the benefits of community policing. It defines the concept, discusses the job's expectations and why it is in demand. Results seen from the implementation of this policing strategy are also discussed.
From the essay:
?Over the last 10 years, the majority of American police departments have installed community policing in varying degrees. It is a public safety strategy that turns a patrol officer from a simple enforcer of laws who often spends most of his or her energy responding to 911 calls, into a problem solver who works with the community to develop and implement long-term solutions to disturbances and crimes.?
Abstract This essay examines the benefits of community policing. It defines the concept, discusses the job's expectations and why it is in demand. Results seen from the implementation of this policing strategy are also discussed.
From the essay:
?Over the last 10 years, the majority of American police departments have installed community policing in varying degrees. It is a public safety strategy that turns a patrol officer from a simple enforcer of laws who often spends most of his or her energy responding to 911 calls, into a problem solver who works with the community to develop and implement long-term solutions to disturbances and crimes.?
Abstract The paper maintains that police departments have to institute and follow stronger ethical guidelines and enforce the measures aggressively in order to demonstrate a commitment to ethical behavior to the community. The paper looks at the community policing programs in Pittsburgh and in Los Angeles that involve creating partnerships with local government, police, schools and community groups for the prevention of crime. The paper also looks at relations between the police and the black community. The paper concludes that a stronger enforcement mechanism has to be instituted to see that behavior conforms to the ethical precepts set forth and that the public has confidence that this is so.
From the Paper "The city police represent the most visible aspect of law enforcement in the community, backed up by the courts, by state and federal levels, and by organizations both public and private dedicated to some aspect of law enforcement and the administration of justice. For most people, however, the local police would be the agency to call when a problem is perceived and help is needed. This places considerable pressure on the city police both to serve the public and also to represent law enforcement for the public. Problems develop in the latter role whenever a department or an individual officer engage in unethical behavior or otherwise cross the line, and the scrutiny given to the police at this level assures that every infraction discovered will become fodder for news reports and criticism from the community. The problem is clearly more acute in some communities, meaning poor and minority communities that do not trust the police even before such a problem erupts."
Abstract In this article, the writer notes that police training on deadly force is a necessary prerequisite for social order and to maintain the efficiency and integrity of the security forces. This paper highlights the major elements of the police training program that are necessary, while simultaneously highlighting aspects of the political, social, and economic environment that either pose an opportunity or threat to the proposed training initiative on deadly force. This paper gives a through outline of the important aspects of how a training process for deadly force should be developed. The analysis also integrates aspects or theories related to formal criminological training methodologies or functions that are integrated with other efficiency parameters related to social justice, social norms and behaviors, as well as other aspects of conflict resolution within the paper.
Outline:
Introduction
Major Elements of Police Training Paper
Section 1: Principles of an Effective Training Strategy
Table 1: Training Modules & Leadership
Literature Structure
From the Paper "McElvian provides a through analysis of how police shootings affect citizens' behavior and uses this framework to show how police training on deadly force will have an effect on the outcome. Similar articles that model societal change and behaviors with interlinkages with police training on deadly force include the articles by Remsberg, Lewinski and Hudson, and Weeg. These papers are presented below and even show how training on deadly force affects efficiency and improves the effectiveness of police departments. Many of the articles above also show provide universal characteristics on how police training on deadly force can be considered effective and efficient. The table below highlights the articles that will be utilized for the paper."
Abstract This paper examines some of the positive and negative ways in which the police have been called upon to function in modern society. This discussion reveals that although there exists some questionable behaviors on the part of the police, overall the institution is responding to demands from the public to increase security, even in the face of decreasing individual liberty. The paper describes how the extent of police control is increasing significantly, however, that increase has largely been at the behest of the public, a fact that mediates the negativity of this police role.
From the Paper "The role of police in modern society is often a conflicted one. The public seems alternately torn between crying out because of abuses of police power and calling for increased police protection from the ills of the world. The police, as a social institution, seems to be caught between these two extremes, trying to balance liberty with security. Out of this inherent tension in the place of the police in modern society, many of the positive and negative aspects and roles of the institution begin to emerge. The purpose of this brief study is to examine some of the positive and negative ways in which the police have been called upon to function in modern society."
