Abstract In this article, the writer looks at the correlation between occupational stress and alcoholism. The writer discusses what police departments can do to mitigate the spread of alcoholism among its officers. The writer also looks at how alcoholism among policeofficers impacts local communities and tears at the fabric of police families. The paper then suggests what educational and diversionary approaches should be put in place in order to thwart alcoholism from becoming an insuperable problem that can ruin lives and drive a wedge between police/community relations.
From the Paper "Another thing that Nordlicht's study reveals is just how toxic can be the unreasonable and unhealthy expectations foisted upon police officers by an authoritarian command structure that demands unblinking obedience, a "stiff" facade, and emotional distance in almost all circumstances. Clearly, police administrators who fear that their officers are succumbing to alcoholism need to look closely at how they expect officers to act with one another and with the general public; in other words, if police officers are expected by their superiors to be severe, emotionally withdrawn, fairly unapproachable, and relatively uncommunicative with the public and with each other, then emotional problems can begin to well up as the stresses of the job - stresses which demand that officers confide in someone - start to exact their toll. Consequently, police officials should make every effort to create a collegial atmosphere wherein communication is valued; at the same time, they should also institute community policing programs (if they have not done so already) that bring police officers more nearly into contact with community members. By doing this, by establishing a cooperative relationship with the local neighborhood or precinct, police officers can break down whatever barriers may exist between themselves and the public and make their days a little less stressful simply because they have personal relationships in place now that make their jobs just a little bit easier. Without question, steps such as these will lessen the stresses which can make turning to drink an attractive option."
Abstract This paper studies and compares, through survey inquiries, policeofficers' perceived stressors and supervisors' perceptions of those stressors. The analysis of the data prioritizes officers' perceived internal stressors and then compares the rank order of these stressors from both an officer group and a supervisor group. The paper presents the research design and the conclusions of the study.
Table of Contents:
Outline
Background of the Problem
Purpose Statement
Research Questions
Hypothesis
Theoretical Framework
Scope of the Study
Limitations
Delimitations
Conclusion
From the Paper "An additional factor which must be considered is the stage of the career of any participant in the survey. A good deal of testing has been done concerning police applicants. Speilberger, Westberry, Grier and Greenfield (1981) studied only individuals who had left police departments, which in many instances marked the end of their police careers. The focus group survey will need to give due consideration to whether or not an individual officer's responses reflect the stage of the development of his or her own career, and the individual's perceived prospects for the future of his or her career."
Abstract A look at the controversial issue of policeofficer mutual loyalty and how it may affect the department, investigations and decisions made by officers. This becomes a controversial issue when one officer is accused of a crime or misconduct and others do not testify against the officer.
From the Paper "?Police officers work in an isolated environment, and socially, for the most part, they are surrounded by their fellow officers. It is not unusual for them to build long and fast friendships with their fellow officers, both at work, and in social situations, similar to war situations, where men under fire make lifelong friendships. "The Police are a fraternity whose members are bound together by the difficulties, dangers and challenges of their job as enforcers of the law and protectors of the citizenry. It is arguably one of the more high-risk jobs, as one misjudgment in the pursuit of a criminal can produce serious injury or death. Solidarity and loyalty are essential to survival" (Vitalis)."
Abstract This paper argues in favor of the presence of policeofficers in American schools. It looks at the problem of many schools as a locus for violence and gang activity and the purpose of campus policeofficers.
From the Paper "Anyone who does not recognize that a number of America's public schools have become a locus for violent criminal and gang activity in recent years is probably not reading a daily newspaper or watching television news..."
Abstract This essay is a response paper to five questions on the ethics of policeofficers and the different kinds of corruption that exist. One question deals with the "slippery slope" caused by gratuities. Other questions cover the four different types of character that exist on a police force, situational vs. "rotten apple" corruption, and leadership characteristics.
From the Paper "The "slippery slope" of corruption describes the process of an officer first accepting a small favor in return for services--or simply because his or her position as an officer lends an air of safety to a location. Some examples would be an officer waiting until after a restaurant has closed to escort the manager to the bank in return for meals, or accepting a free meal to give an appearance that an officer is present or on duty at that restaurant near closing time. Such small favors can lead to greater expectations on both sides of the line. The restaurant owner might expect that the officer will follow him home after making the deposit to ensure his safety, or might expect him to linger longer over his meal or make an appearance at other times of the day."
Abstract This paper briefly discusses several areas of stress related to police work and its effects on policeofficers. After identifying stress, the paper then discusses some sources of police work stress and the results of stress when managed poorly by policeofficers. Next, the paper looks at post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in policeofficers and some of its causes. Finally, the paper points out ways that stress can be reduced, including peer support and critical incident counseling.
Table of Contents:
Abstract
Introduction
Stressors Effects of Stress
Prevention
Conclusion
From the Paper "While enormous emphasis is placed on the need for an educated, professional police force, it is vital that the same type of emphasis be placed upon the well-being of that force. Law enforcement is not going to become easier in a culture which is changing at an incredible rate and becoming more complex with each change. As the demands upon police officers become more complex, his problems are going to become more complex as well. Thus, to perform effectively, it will become ever more necessary for law enforcement agencies to recognize that the stresses encountered by the officer are a major, if not critical, factor in his professional life. If police administrators wish to insure the best performance dy their policeman, they must do their utmost to make that performance as free from unnecessary stress as possible. Likewise, when administrators think police officers have succumb to the ills of stress, the supervisors should be trained how to recognize the early warning signs. Then, the officer should be strongly encouraged to seek help, professionally, and surrounded by a support group. All members of the department needs to be trained in peer counseling and reassure the officer that he is not alone. Instead of being recognized by society as an organization with a code of silence toward misconduct, law enforcement agencies should strive to earn the reputation of being there for the officers that truly need them. It is a small price to pay since the average police officer risks his health, his life and his sanity every day that he is on the job in order to protect and serve his society to the best of his ability."
This paper looks at the way in which black policeofficers have been slowly working their way to becoming highly respected and equal members of the police force, the past several decades.
1,480 words (approx. 5.9 pages), 0 sources, 2001, $ 48.95
Abstract The following paper traces the history of discrimination against African-American policeofficers from the system, their peers and society. The author traces this discrimination according to several aspects: the hurdles after the war, black police groups, police brutality, gains in law enforcement and measures to fight discrimination.
From the paper:
"W. Marvin Delaney portrays the black experience in American police departments from the post-Civil War period until today in his book, Black Police in America. The book follows black policeofficers from a time when they were treated as inferior officers to the present, where many of the nations? top law enforcers are colored".
Abstract This paper addresses the problem of excessive force used by policeofficers, a constant concern of the worldwide community, government, political entities and policeofficers for decades. The alternative to excessive force that the paper presents is intermediate force, which allows officers to capture suspects with the least amount of injury when force is required and ensure their own safety as well. The paper concludes that training and monitoring of law enforcement officers in the intermediate use of force, weaponry, and tactics will provide all police departments with more positive outcomes and ensure that the safety and protection of the society is achieved successfully. The paper includes detailed tables showing examples of force used and charts of assailant/officer action, mapping out the legitimate amount of force to be used.
From the Paper "In 2002 the city of Detriot, Michigan underwent an investigation regarding police use of force and found that no definitions of force or the procedures that specified types of force were found in the city regulations ("Investigation", 2002, sec. 1). This led to multiple cases of excessive force that were reported to the city, civil rights organizations and the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Michigan. In addressing these concerns, the city attorney advised that the police department of Detroit develop stages of force that were applied to different situations, with intermediate force being a vital inclusion in those stages ("Investigations", 2002, sec. 1). The city attorney stated that intermediate force was significant because it allowed police to use chemical sprays and weapons other than guns as a means of maintaining peace and ensuring that arrests were made."
Abstract This paper discusses the role and responsibilities of a policeofficer. The paper reveals that officers make a very positive contribution to their communities, seeing that they help members of the public in a wide variety of situations. More than anything else, a policeofficer helps in crime prevention and in protecting citizens from crime. The paper also touches on the importance of the policeofficer avoiding using excessive force and abusing his/her authority.
Abstract This paper explains that the social identity theory (SIT) relates that minorities often feel the effects of low social status and popular bias, but they also can use their own group solidarity to raise their level of group self-esteem. The author points out that minority policeofficers are members of two major distinct, yet interactive groups: The police, based on the occupation pursued by the group's members, and their own minority group, derived from the racial, ethnic, and cultural characteristics of the group's members, as they are perceived by the majority group. The paper states that generally, in many countries in recent years, there has been a decline in the public's estimation of the police, a group once held in high regard, because of rising crime rates. It points out, however, that an Asian or Black policeofficer, more at home in his own community, can work more smoothly with that community's residents than majority officers can.
From the Paper "The juxtaposition of both real-life and fictional examples of the operation of prejudice against minority police officers is quite telling, for it shows that while actually incidents do exist, it is also taken as axiomatic that such situations must exist in order for such fictional dramas to have the ring of fact. From just such examples, it must be concluded that, in this case, both the majority and the minority, hold similar views."
Tags: self-esteem, ooccupation, minority, crime, community
Abstract In this article, the writer notes that interviewing two policeofficers, one quickly becomes aware of some of the similarities between officers. The writer points out that these similarities are not surprising, given that research suggests that certain personality types are more drawn to law enforcement work than other personality types. However, the writer maintains that even more noteworthy than the similarities between the officers was a fundamental difference noted by the interviewer, which seems as if it might have a tremendous impact on the different courses of the officers' future careers. The writer concludes that the interview reveals something that was clear in both officers' interviews; whatever stress and strain officers may experience, they truly enjoy their jobs.
From the Paper "First, it is important to note that the officers shared several basic similarities. Both officers interviewed were male, relatively young, had been on the force for relatively short periods of time, had the rank of sergeant, and shared similar racial and educational backgrounds. Officer one was a 24 year-old Hispanic male with 2 years of experience on the force, and 2 years of college education. Officer two was a 31 year-old Hispanic male with 5 years of experience on the force and no college education. Both officers worked for a police department and both interviews were conducted via telephone."
Abstract This paper takes a look at the role of the policeofficer. The paper then reviews and discusses the recruitment and selection of potential policeofficers, and their training.
Outline:
Recruitment
Selection
Training
From the Paper "Different commentaries and reactions were received regarding the proper training police officers should undertake. Training courses should be focused on on-the-job training, programs in human relations, and grounding for the social service purpose of police officers. Later reports focused on the biases and prejudices in the training process that may affect police-community relations. Police officers seemed to be oppressors people were afraid to come near to, regardless of them being criminals or civilians. James Fyfe who made a transcript on police practices stated that a better way to define the police is to understand that they are there to maintain order and not necessarily to look for criminals. He recommended this viewpoint should pass through police training programs. James Fype also said that the avoidance of discriminatory behavior at the early levels of police officer training would make a significant impact since when these officers are still at the initial stages, they are more receptive and eager to learn."
Abstract Though there is opposition to the need for college-educated policeofficers on the grounds that there is a wide gap between classroom theory and street reality, this paper argues that it is evident that education can bring many important benefits, such as a more positive image of the police as protectors of justice and peace. It claims that higher education will help provide improved relations with the communities served, problem solving skills using human relations and behavioral management techniques, and an organizational structure that will optimize available resources.
From the Paper "The police force in any country has a vital role to play in terms of achieving its intended mission of crime prevention, protection of life and property and apprehending violators of peace. The police force, therefore, are the upholders of justice and peace, and to that extent, it is they, more than anyone else who need to practice an underlying code of ethics that is true to the spirit of democracy: ??the mission "to protect and serve" is not so simple"require distinct and separate skills" ?artistry of police work lies in the ability to handle explosive situations without resorting to force.? (Delattre, 1989, p. 25-26) The practice of justice in police work does not only involve overt criminal acts but various types of community service including assisting the sick and injured or defusing domestic tension and violence. Now, the fact is, even if the police force have ingrained humane values and ethics, such situations require specialist and varying skills. Besides the necessary knowledge and skill base required to perform their duties, the police are increasingly under pressure to deliver a wide range of services using limited human and financial resources, which requires optimization through applying management principles and techniques. It is, for these reasons that the role of education in policing begins to assume importance."
Abstract This paper examines the fact that police are far more vulnerable to alcohol and drug problems than the general public. The paper explains that this is because of high levels of stress, a macho culture and the odd working hours required in the law enforcement profession. The paper relates although data is scarce, studies estimate that rates of alcoholism among policeofficers are as high as 25 percent. The paper points out that for the general population, the rate of alcoholism is about 7.5 percent.
From the Paper "According to Marks (2001), experts agree that police are far more vulnerable to alcohol and drug problems than the general public, because of "high levels of stress, a 'macho culture' and the odd working hours required in the law enforcement profession. While data is scarce, "studies estimate that rates of alcoholism among police officers are as high as 25 percent. For the general population, the rate of alcoholism is about 7.5 percent." From a public perspective, this situation can only be perceived as alarming, but as Marks (2001) notes, police officials insist that "over the past 20 years, there has been a marked increase in sobriety and sensitivity to substance abuse within the ranks of the nation's 17,000 police departments.""
Abstract This paper examines whether there is enough done to policeofficers who take "law enforcement" too far, including acts of excessive violence, property damage, theft and murder. The paper asks who should be responsible for this type of supervision and bases its answers on the book "SupervisingPolice Personnel" by Whisenand and Rush. It explains how in the book the writers provides recommended guidelines for a supervisor to be aware of potential "law breaking" cops and how to direct the entire police force into healthy work habits.
From the Paper "How many police shows have aired on television over the past 20 years? Yet in every show, from the Hill Street Blues to NYPD Blue, a single theme has been present that was used to identify the "god guys" and the ?bad guys.? This theme didn?t change, whether the "bad guys" were the crooks, or crooked cops. To a man, the police who solved the case, or brought the gangster to justice were those who took personal responsibility for their actions, and their beat. It was personal to them. Whether the TV cop solved the case of the missing cat, or brought down a drug king pin, the viewer watched a portrayal of a man or woman who took his or her responsibility to their job, and community very personally."
