Policing in America 7th Edition Chapter 8 Professor Sean Varano

Chapter Objectives Understand the concept of the “police (sub)culture Analyze the impact of the various theoretical approaches to police cultures Analyze the effects of the policing profession on the subculture Under the concept of the “symbolic assailant”

Police (Sub)Culture Aspects of certain professions can create “cultures” or “orientations” unique to that profession Subcultures exist within larger cultures There may be a culture to policing that is different from the dominate culture Theoretical explanations differ on the sources of the subculture Predispositional Model Professionalization Model

Theoretical Perspectives on Police Culture Psychological Perspect. Sociological Perspect. Basic personality thought to be “fixed” Predispositional model Certain “types” of people are attracted to policing Authoritarian personality Policing attracts persons that are conservative, aggressive, cynical, and rigid Like military, likely to conform to authority Police “personality” learned as part of socialization processes No more authoritarian than people with similar backgrounds Formal training and informal socialization processes change new officers Police change over time

Models of Police Behavior

Typologies of Officers Police can be differentiated based on their orientation toward the job Orientations Differ: Legalistic/Crime Fighter: Strict enforcement of laws Problem Solvers Service/Community Oriented Officer Orientations Effected By: Background of officers Pre-employment exposure (through fathers, uncles, etc) Departmental Practices/culture

Elements of Police Culture Law shapes and defines interactions between police and society Gives officers legal authority over others; To use force or coercion over others World View The manner in which a group sees the world and its relationship to the world We vs. They Mentality; Citizens as Symbolic Assailants Danger (real or perceived) frame much of the general outlook of policing Research shows not the most dangerous profession

Elements of Police Culture Danger and need for bravery critical Desire for autonomy Code of secrecy Plus, “We v. They”; Real potential for error Police isolation Some self-imposed; other job related Sense of Solidarity “We vs. They” is powerful Importance may change over time; over career

Sources of Police Stress Life-Threatening Stressors Social Isolation Stressors Organizational Stressors Functional Stressors Personal Stressors Physiological Stressors Psychological Stressors

Potential Negative Effects of Stress Suicide Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Divorce Heart Disease Mortality Ulcers & Digestive Disorders Colon & Liver Cancer Diabetes

Factors Contributing to Police Suicide Abuse of Alcohol & Drugs Deviance & Corruption Access to Firearms Depression Male Organizations Family & Economic Problems Alienation & Cynicism Role Conflict Physical & Mental Problems

Summary While policing may attract certain “kinds” of people, the prevailing idea is that police work changes people Policing represents a unique subculture – different from the dominate culture Aspects of police work give police shared experiences, shared attitudes, and learned behaviors that make them distinct Such shared experiences can be quite detrimental