Police Psychology

UNIT 1 POLICE PSYCHOLOGY

Structure
1.0 Introduction
1.1 Objectives
1.2 Introduction to Police Psychology
1.2.1 Duties of Police Psychologists
1.2.2 Definition of Police
1.3 Police Structure and Organisation in India
1.3.1 The Organisational Structure
1.3.2 Police Legislation in India
1.4 Role of Police
1.4.1 The Police Role
1.4.2 Goals and Objectives of Policing
1.5 Becoming A Police Officer
1.5.1 The Selection Process
1.5.2 Characteristics of Good Police Officers
1.5.3 Written Entrance Examination
1.5.4 Oral Interview
1.5.5 Psychological Appraisal
1.5.6 Medical Examination
1.5.7 Physical Agility Test
1.5.8 Background Investigation
1.5.9 Standards in Political Selection
1.5.10 Age Requirements
1.5.11 Educational Requirements
1.5.12 Criminal Record Restrictions
1.6 The Police Training Process
1.6.1 Recruit Training
1.6.2 Probationary Period
1.7 The Police Culture and Police Personality
1.7.1 The Police Culture or Subculture
1.7.2 The Police Personality
1.7.3 Definition of Police Personality
1.7.4 Police Cynicism
1.8 Police Stress
1.8.1 Definition of Stress
1.8.2 The Nature of Stress in Policing
1.8.3 Mental and Physical Problems Associated with Stress
1.8.4 Factors Causing Stress in Policing
1.8.5 Sources of Law Enforcement Stress
1.8.6 Effects of Stress on Police Officers
1.8.7 Stress and Police Families
1.8.8 Police Suicide
1.9 Police and the Community
1.9.1 The Need for Proper Police-community Relationships
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Forensic Psychology: Police 1.9.2 Human Relations, Public Relations and Community Relations
and the Law
1.9.3 Police and Special Populations
1.9.4 Programme for Young People
1.9.5 Assistance for the Homeless
1.10 Working with Crime Victims
1.11 Let Us Sum Up
1.12 Unit End Questions
1.13 Suggested Readings

1.0 INTRODUCTION
This unit will look at the role of the police in society, including the crime-fighting
role, the order-maintenance role, the ambiguity of the police role, etc. It will
discuss the goals and objectives of the police. It will explore the police role and
its many interpretations. It will introduce the goals and objectives of policing. It
will illustrate the meaning of police-community relations and their importance
to the safety and quality of life in a community.

The unit will explore public attitudes regarding the police and efforts undertaken
around the nation to improve public perceptions. It will describe various minority
populations and some of their issues regarding police interactions. The unit will
present the challenges faced by various populations, including the aging
population, youth, the homeless, crime victims, and the physically challenged,
etc. The unit will also put forth all the efforts that are being made to better serve
these populations.

1.1 OBJECTIVES
After completing this unit, you will be able to police psychology:
• Define police psychology;
• Elucidate the duties of police psychologists;
• Define police and their organisational structure;
• Describe the duties of police officers;
• Explain the selection and recruitment process;
• Describe the characteristics of good police officers;
• Explain the training process;
• Analyse the causes of stress amongst the police personnel; and
• Describe the need for police and community relationships.

1.2 INTRODUCTION TO POLICE PSYCHOLOGY

Many law enforcement agencies are seeking the expertise of Forensic
Psychologists, and some even hire in-house Police Psychologists for a variety of
duties. The world of Psychology has a very diverse cluster of specialties.

Forensic Psychology, in particular, deals with law enforcement including court

systems, child and family services, correctional facilities, and victimology. Police
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Psychologists are subtype in the Forensic Psychology specialty. The term “police” Police Psychology
can be a little misleading because Police Psychologists are involved in all aspects
of law enforcement including local, state, and federal government agencies. They
are not limited to just police departments.

1.2.1 Duties of Police Psychologists

In India, police and law enforcement agencies hire Psychologists as consultants,
but a psychologist employed or hired on a fulltime basis may be called as “in-
house” Police Psychologist. They do not necessarily have to become police
officers, but it is vital that a clear understanding of the nature of police work is
acquired.

Police Psychologists can play vital roles in the employment and maintenance of
police forces, where they will assess and evaluate the potential, personality,
intelligence, and overall fitness for the line of work.

In addition to pre-employment evaluations, Police Psychologists may assist with

scheduling, educating officers to deal with stress and anger management and
also assist police officers in dealings with mentally disabled persons. Police
Psychologists also provide services with critical incidents, excessive force issues,
shootings, police suicides and psychological issues, fitness-for-duty evaluations,
and also with special unit evaluations.

Police Psychologists might also be called upon to provide counseling services

for officers as well as their families, which can include family and marital issues,
divorce, loss, injury, and stress.

1.2.2 Definition of Police

The law enforcement system, which concerns the order of the community; the
internal regulation of a state.

The organised body of civil officers in a city, town, or district, whose particular
duties are the preservation of good order, the prevention and detection of crime,
and the enforcement of the laws are termed as the Police.

1.3 POLICE STRUCTURE AND ORGANISATION

IN INDIA
1.3.1 The Organisational Structure
Each state and union territory of India has its own separate police force. Article
246 of the Constitution of India designates the police as a state subject, which
means that the state governments frame the rules and regulations that govern
each police force. These rules and regulations are contained in the police manuals
of each state force.

The head of the police force in each state is the Director General of Police (DGP),
who is responsible to the state government for the administration of the police
force in each state, and for advising the government on police matters. The DGP
represents the highest rung in the police hierarchy.

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Forensic Psychology: Police The hierarchical structure of the police in India follows a vertical alignment
and the Law
consisting of senior officers drawn, by and large, from The Indian Police Service
(IPS) who do the supervisory work, the “upper subordinates” (inspectors, sub-
inspectors, and asst. sub-inspectors) who work generally at the police station
level, and the police constabulary who are delegated the patrolling, surveillance,
guard duties, and law and order work. The constabulary accounts for almost
88% of total police strength.

1.3.2 Police Legislation in India

Various legislations govern the establishment and functioning of the police. Key
amongst these is the Police Act (1861), the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Code of
Criminal Procedure (Cr.P.C) and the Indian Evidence Act, 1872. The 1861 Act
was established directly after the Indian Mutiny of 1857 to impose a regime
police force upon their subjects, which could be used solely to consolidate and
perpetuate the British rule in the country.

The advent of Indian independence transformed the political system, but the
police system retained its colonial underpinnings.

The years after independence witnessed the enactment of new legislation in several
states of the country. The first to come into force was the Bombay Police Act
(1951), followed by Kerala Police Act (1960), Karnataka Police Act (1963), and
lastly the Delhi Police Act (1978).

1.4 ROLE OF POLICE

The Police Role and Police Discretion are presented in this section.

1.4.1 The Police Role

Two major views of the role of the police exist.
• The Police are crime fighters concerned with law enforcement (crime fighting).
• The police are order maintainers concerned with keeping the peace and
providing social services to the community (order maintenance)
In regard to the crime fighting role, the police themselves also emphasise their
role as crime fighters and play down their Job as peacekeepers and social service
providers. The vast majority of crime fighting the police do is related to
maintenance of law and order than serious crime.
In regard to the Order Maintenance Role, the police maintain order and provide
services. People call the police to obtain services or to get help in maintaining
order.

1.4.2 Goals and Objectives of Policing

The Primary Goals and Objectives of the police are given below. The police are
expected to perform many civic duties that in earlier times were the responsibility
of every citizen keeping the peace, performing emergency medical care, and
dealing with civil emergencies. Today, we leave those tasks to the police.
While the primary goals are as given above, there are also many secondary goals
which are given below. There are six secondary goals and objectives toward
8 which police resources and activities are used to meet the primary two objectives.
• Preventing crime Police Psychology

• Arresting and prosecuting offenders

• Recovering stolen and missing property
• Assisting the sick and injured
• Enforcing non criminal regulations
• Delivering services not available elsewhere in the community.
The police attempt to prevent crime by trying to create a sense of omnipresence
through routine patrol; responding to calls by citizens to deal with problems that
may cause crime; and establishing and participating in police-citizen partnerships
designed to prevent crime.

Due to their availability 7 days a week and 24 hours a day and because they are
highly mobile, the police generally are the closest government agency to any
problem.

So far we discussed the role of the police in India. It discussed two major ways
of looking at the police role, viz., the crime-fighting role (law enforcement) and
the ordermaintenance role (peacekeeping and providing social services).

Two primary goals and objectives of police departments are maintaining order
and protecting life and property. Secondary goals may include preventing crime,
arresting and prosecuting offenders, recovering stolen and missing property,
assisting sick and injured people, enforcing non-criminal regulations, and
delivering services not available.
Self Assessment Questions 1
1) Define police psychology.
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2) What are the duties of police psychologists?
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Forensic Psychology: Police
and the Law 3) Describe the police structure and organisation in India.
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4) Explain the basic difference between the crime-fighting role and the
order-maintenance role of the police.
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5) List the major goals and objectives of the police.
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6) What are the roles of the police in India?
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1.5 BECOMING A POLICE OFFICER

The Recruitment Process
To attract more qualified candidates, particularly among minority group, the
Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies has recommended
a number of standards that department should adhere to regarding recruiting
candidates for selection as police officers. Among these standards are.
• These regulation should ensure that race, gender, ethnicity and religion will
not affect a persons’ chances of being hired or promoted.
• The law enforcement agency should seek recruitment assistance.
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• The agency should have an equal employment opportunity plan. Police Psychology

• The agency’s recruitment literature, if any, should depict women and

minorities in law enforcement roles.

1.5.1 The Selection Process

The police selection process is lengthy, difficult and competitive. The police
selection process is a series of examinations, interviews and investigative steps
designed to select the best candidate to appoint to a police department from the
many who apply.

Police agencies utilise procedures like Written aptitude testing, Personal Interview,
Physical agility, Polygraph exam, Voice stress analyser, Psychological evolution,
Drug testing, Medical Exam, Background Investigation, etc.

After the successful completion of the written test, an internal review panel
determines which applicants proceed further in the process. These candidates
continue on to the physical agility exam, and the internal panel then reconvenes
and determines which applicants proceed to the oral interview in front of a panel.

The remaining steps include a thorough background investigation, an interview

with the Chief of Police, ride along with a Field Training Officer, personality
assessment, and other interviews with departmental personnel. Eventually a
conditional Job offer will be made to the selected candidates, which will be
followed by a thorough medical exam conducted at states’ expense.

1.5.2 Characteristics of Good Police Officers

There have been a number of efforts to determine the specific criteria that predict
future police performance. Performance on written civil service entrance tests
was the best predictor of subsequent police performance. This Police performance
as arrest activity, investigative skills, evidence gathering, and crime scene
management, performance on written civil service exams, associated with future
supervisory ratings and career advancement. Factors, such as oral interviews,
prior work experience, numerical ability, intelligence quotient (IQ), age, and
education, also predict performance of an individual as a police officer.

1.5.3 Written Entrance Examination

A police department’s written entrance examination is usually a pen-and-pencil
test administered in schools or police facilities near prospective candidates’ homes.
Some departments test at regular intervals, such as once a year or once every
four years; other departments test continually as candidates’ appear.

Most written police tests used to screen large numbers of entry-level candidates
are incapable of bringing in the right types of applicants and culling from the
field those who are ill-suited to perform the duties of today’s police officer,
because these exams primarily test for cognitive abilities, rather than common
sense. Testing for common sense and public service orientation will go a long
way toward identifying candidates who can cope with the demands placed on
those ultimately selected to serve and protect.

Some measure candidates’ ability to take quick and reasonable action in stressful
situations, with correct answers determined by analysing responses given by
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Forensic Psychology: Police experienced, qualified police officers. Other tests provide candidates with Job-
and the Law
related materials-memos, reports, and procedural guides – and ask them to make
decisions on the basis of these materials.

1.5.4 Oral Interview

A board of ranking officers, a psychologist, the police chief, or an investigator
can conduct the oral interview in the police selection process. There often are
multiple oral boards or interviews conducted by numerous representatives of the
department. The goal is to solicit input from many stakeholders in the organisation
and to minimise the chance of a personality conflict that might result in an
applicant being kept out of the selection pool. The oral interview may merely
discuss the candidate’s application and background or may be used to test the
candidate’s ability to deal with stressful situations.

1.5.5 Psychological Appraisal

Psychological testing has become very important in the police selection process.
Job-related stress is a major health problem, especially in law enforcement. There
is a need for a thorough background investigation, along with a comprehensive
psychological-psychiatric evaluation, in order to eliminate candidates with
psychiatric problems, personality disorders, problems with impulse control,
substance abuse, etc. Police departments often use sophisticated screening devices,
such as the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised (WISC-R), to measure
intelligence or MMPI to evaluate personality structure and determine whether
recruits have any disorders that would adversely affect their functioning.

1.5.6 Medical Examination

Police department generally want candidates who are in excellent health, without
medical problems that could affect their ability to perform the police job. There
are long range and short-range reasons for using medical examinations in the
police selection process. The short – range purpose is to ensure that candidates
can do the police job. The long-range purpose is to ensure that candidates arc not
prone to injuries that may lead to early retirement and an economic loss to the
department. Every applicant should be given a complete and thorough medical
examination to detect any disqualifying diseases (such as diabetes, epilepsy, or
heart disease) or any physical abnormalities or medical conditions (such as back
problems or high blood pressure).

1.5.7 Physical Agility Test

It is common knowledge that police departments are interested in police candidates
who are physically fit.

1.5.8 Background Investigation

In an effective background investigation, a candidate’s past life, past employment,
school records, medical records, relationships with neighbours and others, and
military record are placed under a microscope.

1.5.9 Standards in Police Selection

Each police department sets standards, or necessary qualifications, that it requires
in selecting its prospective police officers. The police standards cover physical,
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age, and education requirements, criminal record restrictions, and residency Police Psychology
requirements.

1.5.10 Age Requirements

Until recently most police department required that an officer be between the
ages of 21 and 29 at the time of appointment. Anyone over the age of 29 was
considered too old for employment. Sometimes, exceptions were made for those
with previous military or police experience.

1.5.11 Educational Requirements

Police Department required a high school diploma; some type of college
requirement and some may required a college degree. It should be noted that the
minimum high school diploma requirement may not necessarily reflect actual
selection practices.

Higher levels of education have also been associated with fewer on-the-job
injuries, fewer injures by assault, fewer disciplinary actions from accidents, fewer
sick days per year, and fewer physical force allegations. Other research has shown
that higher education results in higher aspirations decreased dogmatism,
authoritarianism, rigidity, and conservatism; fewer disciplinary problems; fewer
citizen complaints; increased promotions; greater acceptance of minorities:
decreased use of discretionary arrests; increased perception of danger; and a
better ability to tolerate job-related excitement.

1.5.12 Criminal Record Restrictions

Obviously, people wishing to become police officers must respect the rules of
our society and must adhere to these rules. The lack of a significant criminal
record is a requirement to become a police officer. However, police departments
distinguish between arrests and conviction. Along with the issue of criminal
records is undetected criminal activity. This is explored during the background
investigation, polygraph exams, and interviews.
Self Assessment Questions 2
1) What are the important requirements for becoming a police officer?
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2) Describe the characteristics of a good police officer.
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Forensic Psychology: Police
and the Law 3) Describe the oral interview and the psychological appraisal in the
selection process of the police officer.
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4) What are the standards involved in police selection?
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5) What is meant by Criminal record restrictions?
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1.6 THE POLICE TRAINING PROCESS

Once an individual has been chosen to be a member of a police department, he
or she begins months of intensive training. Recruit training and in-service training
programs vary from department to department, and, in reality, police training
never ends.

1.6.1 Recruit Training

Recruit training is the initial training a police officer receives. It teaches officers
the state laws and state procedures and educates them in the goals, objectives,
and procedures of the department. It provides them with the knowledge skills,
and abilities to do the job. New officers must attend a formal training course at
an academy operated by, or associated with the department. Field training is on-
the-job training of recently graduated recruits from the police academy. The
training is provided by specially selected patrol officers and is designed to
supplement the theory taught at the police academy with the reality of the
street.They are also provided firearms training.

1.6.2 Probationary Period

A probationary period is the period of time that a department has to evaluate a
14 new officer’s ability to perform his or her job effectively. Generally, a probationary
officer can be dismissed at will without proof of specific violation of law or Police Psychology
department regulations. Once officers are off probation, civil service rules often
make it very difficult to dismiss them. Probationary periods can last anywhere
from six months to three year.

Thus numerous jobs are available in policing on the federal, state, local, and
private levels. The police selection process can be complicated and time
consuming. Before selection actually begins, a department must conduct a job
analysis to determine the type of candidate the department wants to hire. Next
comes the actual selection process. This process can include a written entrance
examination, an oral review, a psychological appraisal, a polygraph examination,
a medical examination, a physical agility test, and a background investigation.

The standards required to become a police officer have changed significantly in

recent years to allow more females and minorities entry into policing. The current
standards to be a police officer are high and rigorous in most agencies. Newly
hired police officers generally receive academy training and field training. A
probationary period must then be served. In addition, officers continue their
education throughout their careers through in-service, management; and
specialised training programs.
Self Assessment Questions 3
1) What is the training process involved in training police recruits?
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2) Why is field training programme important for police officers?
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3) What is probationary period and why is vital for police training?
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Forensic Psychology: Police
and the Law 1.7 THE POLICE CULTURE AND POLICE
PERSONALITY
This section will discuss such concepts as the police culture or subculture, the
police personality, police cynicism, the Dirty Harry problem, police stress, police
suicide, and “suicide by cop.” Police stress is a serious issue facing the police.
Therefore, this chapter will attempt to define it and to show why it occurs, how
it exhibits itself, and how police agencies can deal with it.

This chapter will also discuss police suicide and “suicide by cop” and how these
problems can be dealt with.

1.7.1 The Police Culture or Subculture

Numerous academic studies have indicated that the nature of policing and the
experiences officers go through on the job cause them to band together into their
own subculture, which many researchers call the police culture or police
subculture.

The police culture or police subculture, then, is a combination of shared norms,

values, goals, career patterns, lifestyles, and occupational structures that is
substantially different from the combination held by the rest of society.

Due to challenging work schedules, police officers often socialise more frequently
with other officers than with the average citizen. Though this might increase
isolation, in some cases it can be beneficial for stress reduction by providing a
healthy opportunity to ventilate and exercise.

Loyalty is a major part of the police subculture, and police loyalty is extremely
intense. The word backup occurs often in police officer conversations. Backup
involves not only assisting other officers in emergency situations but also coming
to their aid when they are challenged.

The ideal officer, then, according to the police subculture, takes risks (honor), is
first on the scene to aid a fellow police officer (loyalty), and is able to handle any
situation by doing it her or his own way (individuality). The idea of danger
permeates the police subculture.

1.7.2 The Police Personality

The police subculture leads to what scholars call the police personality, or traits
common to most police officers.

Scholars have reported that this personality is thoughts to include such traits as
authoritarianism, suspicion, hostility, insecurity, conservatism, and cynicism.

This section will attempt to describe the characteristics of the police personality,
what shapes the police personality and the causes and effects of police cynicism.

1.7.3 Definition of Police Personality

There are three important features of an officer’s working personality: danger,
authority, and isolation from the public.

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Some researches have found that police officers are actually psychologically Police Psychology
healthier, less depressed and anxious, and more social and assertive than the
general population.

Two opposing viewpoints on the development of the police personality exist.

One says that police departments recruit people who by nature possess those
traits that we see in the police personality. The second point of view holds that
officers develop those traits through their socialisation and experiences in the
police department.

1.7.4 Police Cynicism

Police cynicism is an attitude that there is no hope for the world and a view of
humanity at its worst. This is produced by the police officer’s constant contact
with offenders and what he or she perceives as miscarriages of justice, such as
lenient court decisions and plea-bargaining.

Cynicism is an emotional plank deeply entrenched in the ethos of the police

world and it serves equally well for attack or defense. For many reasons police
are particularly vulnerable to cynicism. When they succumb, they lose faith in
people, society, and eventually in themselves.
Self Assessment Questions 4
1) Define police culture.
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2) What are the important characteristics of police culture and subculture?
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3) Is there something called as police personality? Describe and explain.
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4) What kind of cynicism is there in the police? How is to be handled?
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Forensic Psychology: Police
and the Law 1.8 POLICE STRESS
1.8.1 Definition of Stress
Stress is the body’s reaction to internal or external stimuli that upset the body’s
normal state. A stimulus that causes stress (stressor) can be physical, mental, or
emotional. The term stress is used to refer to both the body’s reaction and the
stimuli that caused it.The body’s reaction to highly stressful situations is known
as the flight-or-flight response.

Some experts say that stress alone probably does not cause illness, but it
contributes to circumstances in which diseases may take hold and flourish. Stress
weakens and disturbs the body’s defense mechanisms and may play a role in the
development of hypertension, ulcers, cardiovascular disease, and as research
indicates, probably cancer.

1.8.2 The Nature of Stress in Policing

Although most people have stress in their careers or lives, studies have found
evidence of particularly high rates of stress in certain professions. Some have
called policing the most stressful of all professions.

1.8.3 Mental and Physical Problems Associated with Stress

Psychiatric problems
• Posttraumatic stress syndrome
• Neuroses
• Transient situational disturbances
Immunology problems
• Reduced resistance to infection
• Tumors
Cardiovascular problems
• Heart attacks
• Coronary artery disease
• Hypertension
• Stroke
Genitourinary problems
• Failure to menstruate
• Impotence
• Incontinence
Gastrointestinal problems
• Ulcers
Researchers have identified four general categories of stress with which police
officers are confronted:
1) External stress. Stress produced by real threats and dangers, such as
responding to gun runs and other dangerous assignments and taking part in
auto pursuits.
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2) Organisational stress. Stress produced by elements inherent in the quasi- Police Psychology
military character of the police service, such as constant adjustment to
changing tours of duty, odd working hours, working holidays, find the strict
discipline imposed on officers.
3) Personal stress. Stress produced by the interpersonal characteristics of
belonging to the police organisation, such as difficulties in getting along
with other officers.
4) Operational stress. Stress produced by the daily need to confront the tragedies
of urban life: the need to deal with derelicts, criminals, the mentally disturbed,
and the drug addicted; the need to engage in dangerous activity to protect a
public that appears to be unappreciative of the police; and the constant
awareness of the possibility of being legally liable for actions performed
while on duty.
A recent study of police stress found significant levels of physical stress among
police officers. Using heart rate, coupled with observed physical-activity data,
researchers found the highest physical stress to occur during officers’ physical
enforcement activities; marked psychosocial stress when responding to critical
incidents, particularly during the interaction with a suspect both during the critical
incident and then during each subsequent interaction with suspects for the
remainder of the shift. The evidence also suggests that officers anticipate stress
as they conduct their work, experiencing anticipatory stress at the start of each
shift.

1.8.4 Factors Causing Stress in Policing

According to researchers, factors leading to stress in police work include poor
training, substandard equipment, poor pay, lack of opportunity, role conflict,
exposure to brutality, fears about job competence and safety, and lack of job
satisfaction. Researchers also say that the pressure of being on duty 24 hours a
day leads to stress and that the police learn to cope with that stress by becoming
emotionally detached from their work and the people they are paid to serve.
Fatigue can also affect officers’ stress. Working long hours and overtime produces
fatigue and consequently stress in officers.

1.8.5 Sources of Law Enforcement Stress

External stressors
• Lack of consideration by courts in scheduling officers for court appearances
• Public’s lack of support
• Negative or distorted media coverage
Internal stressors
• Policies and procedures that are offensive
• Poor or inadequate training and
• Inadequate career development opportunities
• Lack of identity and recognition
• Poor economic benefits and working conditions
• Excessive paperwork
• Inconsistent discipline
• Perceived favouritism 19
Forensic Psychology: Police Stressors in law enforcement work itself
and the Law
• Rigors of shift work
• Role conflict
• Frequent exposures to life’s miseries
• Boredom
• Fear
• Responsibility for protecting other people
• Fragmented nature of the jobWork overload
Stressors confronting the individual officer
• Necessity to conform
• Necessity to take a second job
• Altered social status in the community

1.8.6 Effects of Stress on Police Officers

Police officers face the stress created by always being ready for danger day in
and day out. In addition, the working hours of police officers and the resultant
living conditions have a further negative effect on their health.
Effects:
• Emotional detachment From various aspects of daily life
• Reduced efficiency
• Absenteeism and early retirement
• Excessive aggressiveness (which may trigger an increase in citizen
complaints)
• Alcoholism and other substance abuse problems
• Marital or other family problems (for example, extramarital affairs, divorce,
or domestic violence)
• Posttraumatic stress disorder.
• Heart attacks, ulcers, weight gain, and other health problems
• Suicide

1.8.7 Stress and Police Families

Police work not only affects officers; it also affects their families, loved ones,
and friends.
1) Family disruption due to rotating shifts: Problems caused by rotating shifts
include providing childcare, unavailability on holidays and at other family
events, and physical problems caused by overtime and shift work, which
cause irritability and increased tension.
2) Unpredictable work environment: The constantly changing work setting of
the police officer leads to crisis and emergency responses, as well as fear of
death or injury and of being the target of internal investigations.
3) Job related personal change and family relationships: An officer’ is forced
to see much human tragedy and is always personally affected. Changes in
20 the officers personality and attitudes, in turn, affect the family.
4) Community expectations and demands: The public seems to hold police Police Psychology
officers to a higher standard of behaviour in comparison with other workers.
Neighbours often expect their police officer neighbours to take care of
neighbourhood problems and be available for emergencies.
Intrusion into family life. The police officer may have to carry parts of his or her
job home. For example, police officers generally carry weapons, which they
must secure in a safe place at home. Officers also must be avail able 24 hours a
day.

1.8.8 Police Suicide

Closely associated with the problem of stress in policing is the problem of police
suicide, which seems to worsen over the years. Despite all the programs existing
to deal with officer problems that may cause suicide, the loll continues to mount.
Studies indicate that the suicide rate among police officers is anywhere from
two to three times higher than that of the general population/and the rate of
police suicides doubled in the 1990s.

The police culture and the reluctance of police officers to ask for help complicate
the problem of police suicide. His study revealed that police are at higher risk for
committing suicide for a variety of reasons, including access to firearms,
continuous exposure to human misery, shift work, social strain and marital
difficulties, drinking problems, physical illness, impending retirement, and lack
of control over their jobs and personal lives.
• Police work is a male-dominated profession, and men have higher suicide
rates than women.
• The use, availability, and familiarity with firearms by police in their work
make it fairly certain that suicide attempts will be successful.
• There are psychological repercussions to being exposed to potential death
on a constant basis.
• Long and irregular working hours do not promote strong friendships and
strain family ties.
• There is constant exposure to public criticism and dislike toward the police.
Compounding the stress problems of police officers is the phenomenon known
as suicide by cop, in which a person wishing to die deliberately places an officer
in a life-threatening situation, causing the officer to use deadly force against that
person.

The Dirty Harry Problem is the conflict over whether to use illegal means to
accomplish good ends. It is a problem that seems to permeate many aspects of
policing.
Self Assessment Questions 5
1) Explain what the police subculture is and how it expresses itself.
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Forensic Psychology: Police
and the Law
2) Define the police personality and discuss how it expresses itself.
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3) List some reasons for the existence of a police subculture and a police
personality.
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4) Give some reasons why police officers experience high levels of stress.
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5) Discuss what police departments can do to deal with the high levels of
stress present in their officers.
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1.9 POLICE AND THE COMMUNITY

1.9.1 The Need for Proper Police-community Relationships
The police are needed to handle emergencies, maintain order, regulate traffic,
and promote a sense of security within the community. To accomplish this, the
police must be part of the community. They cannot be viewed as mercenaries or
as an army of occupation. When the police see themselves as an occupying army
or are seen as one by the’ community, urban unrest results. The police can best
serve the community when they are regarded as part of the community both by
the residents and themselves.
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The police and community need each other to help communities to be as vibrant Police Psychology
and safe as possible. Police-community relationships must be two-way
partnerships. Additionally, in a democratic society, the legitimacy of the police
depends on broad and active public acceptance and support. Police chiefs or
police commissioners have the responsibility and obligation to educate the public
about the many causes of crime and the inability of the police, acting alone and
on their own, to control crime.

1.9.2 Human Relations, Public Relations and Community

Relations
Human relations thus connotes treating others with respect and dignity and
following the Golden Rule – acting toward others as you would want others to
act toward you.

While its well known the police have a difficult job, the role of the. Police has
always been somewhat ambiguous; the perception of the police mission by police
leaders as well as the community leaders has varied over the last few decades.
With the adoption of the community policing philosophy, many law enforcement
agencies have seen their roles expand to include activities that previously were
not viewed as police functions.

The police role continues to be viewed in two primary areas— crime fighters
and order maintainers as well as service providers.

Further confusing perceptions, any conflicts or negative issues that arise are played
out repeatedly in the media and the community.

1.9.3 Police and Special Populations

As we have seen, the community the police serve is extremely divers. Special
populations offer unique challenges for police departments. Some of the groups
with special needs are senior citizens, young people, the homeless, crime victims
and the disabled.

Senior citizens experience particular problems that necessitate special attention

from the police. Although seniors have the lowest criminal victimisation rates of
all age groups, they experience a tremendous fear of crime, often refusing to
leave their homes because of the fear of being a victim. Additionally, many senior
citizens are infirm and require emergency services. Often police provide special
programs and services for senior citizens. The increasing number of older persons,
coupled with their fear of victimisation, yields new problems for law enforcement.
Fear of victimisation and perceptions of rising crime rates rank high among the
concerns of the elderly.

It is important for officers to understand the physical, emotional, and social,

challenges that people face as they age. They can then adapt some of their
procedures to minimise the affect of some of the physical, challenges (changes
in vision, hearing, and mobility) on their interactions with older people. An officer
who understands the psychological and social issues will be able to understand
an unexpectedly emotional reaction to what he or she perceives as a routine
event.

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Forensic Psychology: Police 1.9.4 Programs for Young People
and the Law
It is believed that if children learn something early enough in life, it will stay
with them forever, thus reaching out to them earlier is important. Young children
are special targets of police community relations programs because of their
impressionable age. The problem of crime and young people is very serious.

There are numerous special police programs for young people. The most
important, perhaps, are antidrug programs

1.9.5 Assistance for the Homeless

Police departments are generally the only agency available 24 hours a day, 7
days a week. Therefore, the police are frequently called to deal with alcoholics,
the mentally ill, and the homeless (street people). Tremendous numbers of people
live on the streets today. Many of these people are often in drug or alcoholic
stupors or frenzies, or they exhibit wild and chaotic behaviour.

Handling the mentally ill is, perhaps, the single most difficult type of call for law
enforcement officers. Police officers usually found themselves saddled with sole
responsibility for suspected mentally ill persons whose public behaviour
warranted some form of social intervention.

Many of the homeless who come to the attention of the police do so as a result of
committing a crime or being the victim of a crime. Typically these incidents
include drinking in public, disturbing the peace, fighting, and more serious
offenses including sex crimes, robberies, and murders.

The homeless issue today is a multifaceted one and requires many organisations
working together to attempt to solve the underlying problems. Many police
departments have realised this and have taken a proactive approach.

1.10 WORKING WITH CRIME VICTIMS

Many efforts have been undertaken to assist victims of crime, including victims’
rights laws, victim assistance programs and crime compensation funds. Recently,
law enforcement has realised that by working more closely with these victims,
not only can they belter serve the victims and enhance community support, but
they can also help to advance the law enforcement mission and goal of reducing
and solving crime and reducing fear of crime.

Victims have traditionally been considered law enforcement clients, as they

receive law enforcement services. Police also have instituted special investigative
units over the past decades and use special tools to make the investigative process
less threatening to victims of crime.

New procedures, training, or counseling can be employed to make changes. Some

departments are reassured when they find out there is not a bias-based policing
problem and in fact the data can help them counter allegations of unfair treatment.
Having the data available is a starting point toward improvement, if there is a
need for it, and documentation to defend the department’s practices, if no problems
is detected. Community support and relationships can be enhanced when the
community has faith in the unbiased behaviour of their police officers.
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 Police Psychology
1.11 LET US SUM UP
In this unit we started with the definition of police psychology and followed it
up by defining police. We learnt about the structure of the police organisation
and the role of police in the society. We also learnt about the goals and objectives
of police in India. Then we looked into the aspects of what all is required to
become a effective and good police officer. We learnt that for this the police
undergoes considerable training. Initially they all go though a selection process,
written entrance examination, face an oral interview, and they all are asked to
undergo a medical examination and agility tests etc. They are also given a
psychological appraisal and their background is checked for criminality and
related issues. Age and educational levels are also checked and every effort is
made to find out if the person has had any criminal record . We also learnt about
the two types of training, viz., recruitment training and probationary period after
the individual has been placed. We then discussed about the typical police culture
and related issues and we brought out the typical personality of a police personnel
as a result of the culture in which the individual is brought up and made to
interact with. Following this, we discussed stress in the police force and in the
police officers and in the police organisations. We discussed the various mental
and physical health problems that arise as a result of stress. The issue was also
discussed in terms of the police families. Finally we discussed the relationship
between the police and the community and stressed upon the need to have a
congenial relationship between the police and the community.

1.12 UNIT END QUESTIONS

1) Define and describe police psychology and bring out the characteristic
features of the same.
2) What are the important features of the structure and organisation of police
in India?
3) Describe the entire processes involved in becoming a police officer. Discuss
the goals, objective and role of police in the society.
4) What is meant by police culture and subculture. Elucidate.
5) What kind of stresses the police faces? Describe in detail
6) What are the various problems related to police stress?
7) How are the police families affected by police stress?
8) Explain the need for proper police and community relationships.
9) What roles police play in regard to the special populations and their needs.?

1.13 SUGGESTED READINGS

Kitaeff, Jack (2011). Handbook of Police Psychology. Routledge Academic, LA

Miller, Laurence (2006). Charles C. Thomas Publisher, Springfield, Illinois, 2006.

Veeraraghavan, Vimala (2009). Handbook of Forensic Psychology, Select

Scientific Publishers, New Delhi.

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