Chapter 6: Being a Police Officer – The Police Occupation

Learning Outcomes

• Understanding Jerome Skolnick's theory on the "Working Personality of Police Officers."

• Exploring stress factors in policing, including experiences of women officers.

• Analyzing police organization versus operations as sources of stress.

• Examining the impact of shift work and associated tired cop syndrome.

Transition to Police Service

• Upon completion of police academy and field training, new officers begin adjusting to the police culture.

• Officers adopt attitudes and behaviors characteristic of the police occupation.

The Working Personality of Police Officers (Jerome Skolnick)

• Characteristics of Police Personality:

  • Focused on danger; pervasive suspicion of people and situations.

  • Protective cynicism and a strong bond with fellow officers.

  • Engages in a code of silence to protect peers (referred to as the "blue wall").

  • Develops hypervigilance—a heightened state of alertness to perceived threats.

Changes in Police Work

• The nature of police work has transformed over the years.

• Despite changes, an "us vs. them" mentality persists in police culture.

• Officers maintain individual styles of patrol and interaction.

Effects of Solidarity

• Positive Effects:

  • Solidarity can provide coping mechanisms for police officers.

• Negative Effects:

  • Can lead to isolation from the community and management.

  • May encourage resistance to change and perpetuate unethical behavior, including biased policing and racial profiling.

Addressing Stress in Police Work

• Risks and Challenges:

  • While danger exists in the profession, mental health issues pose significant threats.

  • Cynicism is an ongoing challenge, especially for those patrolling high-crime areas.

• Officers may face stress due to the enforcement of unpopular laws and community backlash.

Trauma and Emotional Toll

• Officers encounter traumatic events (homicides, suicides) that can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), characterized by:

  • Flashbacks, depression, sleep disturbances.

• Paperwork Stress:

  • Time-consuming administrative duties often compound stress.

Women in Policing

• Women face unique stressors, including gender stereotyping and harassment.

• Research Findings:

  • Female officer misconduct, influenced by police culture.

• Notable cases of sexual misconduct within police organizations, reflecting systemic issues.

Organizational Stress Factors

• Police organizations can create stress through:

  • Understaffing, perceived injustice, low morale, and inadequate resources.

• Some argue the police organization itself contributes more stress than field operations.

Shift Work and Its Consequences

• Tired Cop Syndrome:

  • Shift work leads to fatigue, poorer decision-making, and health issues.

  • Accumulated sleep deficits increase risks of cardiovascular problems and affect overall well-being.

• Officers in rural and remote areas may be at higher risk for these challenges.

Work-Life Balance Issues

• Police work strains family life, complicating personal balance with professional demands.

• High stress correlates with misconduct, particularly for officers identifying as Aboriginal, minority groups, or LGBTQ2.

Conclusion

• Overall, police work is filled with both rewarding and challenging experiences, impacting officers' physical and mental health, community relations, and personal lives.