Exam 6: Police Culture, Personality, and Stress

Certain professions have higher rates of stress than others. In 2017, Forbes Magazine listed police work as number what of the top 10 stress-producing jobs in the United States?

What Would You Do? You are Brandon Spargiminia's partner. For the last few months, you've noticed quite a change in your partner's behavior. He frequently has headaches and stomachaches, and has been complaining about the stress in his life often. You know that, on a personal level, Brandon's wife left him several months ago, citing his constant irritability, extreme suspicion, and what she calls his "stone-cold attitude" as the reasons. Last month, he was diagnosed with hypertension, and was put on a restricted diet and told to exercise more often. At work, he's considered cynical but is valued by his colleagues, though in the last two months has had several incidents where his overreactions have caused injuries in suspects. You are writing up your report of yesterday's incident during the domestic dispute call and are trying to decide how much detail to include, as well as deciding whether to inform your lieutenant of the truth of the incident. Typically, the unspoken rules of solidarity with those behind the "blue wall of silence" wouldn't allow you to direct fault at your partner. But you are concerned that not reporting his increasingly dangerous behavior will allow it to increase, with more people getting hurt. Alternatively, you know that, if in the report-and to the lieutenant-you present what happened (and has been happening) as the consequences of long-term, excessive stress, Brandon is likely to get help better managing his stress levels, thereby creating the environment where he can go back to being the cynical but respected cop he has been for years. He may be angry with you for going to the boss, but you can handle that more easily than you can stomach the thought of what might happen if you don't report the behavior. -Which alternative do you choose in handling this most recent issue with your partner?

What is the effect on society of the police subculture's reliance on the blue wall of silence as an important measure of loyalty?

The protective barrier that results when police officers protect each other from investigations into wrongdoing is known as _________.

What Would You Do? When the lieutenant calls Spargiminia in to discuss the incident that caused the woman's injuries, you accompany your partner, just as you'd agreed to do. He provides his version of events, which downplays his overreaction. He then opens a discussion about the stresses in his life and how he's been feeling overwhelmed. He asks the lieutenant what kind of classes or programs are out there to help cops reduce their stress levels and better manage their behaviors on the job. He expresses how he believes many of the department's officers are experiencing high levels of stress lately, and that how some education or training for the entire department might be helpful. -You are Brandon Spargiminia's partner. After listening to your partner speak, the lieutenant turns to you and asks for your version of the events. What do you decide to do?

According to the National Institute of Justice, commonly reported consequences of stress reported by police officers include: cynicism, suspiciousness, extreme aggressiveness, emotional detachment, reduced efficiency, absenteeism, early retirement, marital or family problems, health problems, drug or alcohol problems, PTSD, and suicide. For example, real threats and danger produced by external stressors such as an agitated and physically violent individual may result in an officer responding with extreme aggressiveness. The Police Organization Providing Peer Assistance, or POPPA, was created to address police stress and family problems. However, identifying and investigating wrongdoings resulting from these problems is difficult. Police officers often protect one another from outsiders, even refusing to aid police superiors or other law enforcement officials in investigating other officers, producing a protective barrier known as the blue wall of silence, which produces the blue curtain. This scenario focuses on how continued intense stress affects the behavior of police officers. Yesterday afternoon, you and your partner Officer Brandon Spargiminia were out on patrol when you were called to the scene of a domestic dispute. When you arrived at the scene, a man and woman were screaming at and slapping each other. Spargiminia pulled the female away from scuffle, and you handled the male. As you were talking to the couple, the female became very agitated and leapt to once again attack her boyfriend. In the process, she nearly knocked Spargiminia over, who reacted by slamming her flat on the ground and kneeling on her while he placed her in cuffs. His reaction was forceful enough to break her ankle, and paramedics had to be called to the scene. -Spargiminia's reaction to the female nearly knocking him over is an example of what outcome related to stress?

What dangers do police face in the field?

Carl B. Klockars identified a moral dilemma among police officers in which they may be tempted to believe that the end justifies the means and do a bad thing for what they believe is a good reason. He referred to this as the what problem, after the 1971 film?

Which of the following is considered to be a typical trait of the "police personality"?

Research by Dr. Neal Trautman showed that among the more than 2,000 officers in the study, what percentage had witnessed misconduct but had not reported it?

Loyalty within the police force is tied to the importance of what, which involves helping other officers when they are challenged, criticized, or even charged with wrongdoing?

Summary A The police culture or subculture consists of a combination of values and norms unique to police officers. One of the major parts of this subculture is loyalty. For police officers, loyalty means backing up and supporting your fellow officers. In this case, allowing your partner's version of what took place is your way of demonstrating the loyalty you have for your partner. Because your partner is willing to seek out help to address the stress he is experiencing you feel it is appropriate to allow his version to stand. Of course, it is possible that this slightly different version may be uncovered, but you believe your partner and preserving the trust in your relationship is worth the risk. To learn more about the blue wall of silence and police culture, see "The Police Culture or Subculture." Summary B The police culture or subculture consists of a combination of values and norms unique to police officers. One of the major parts of this subculture is loyalty. For police officers, loyalty means backing up and supporting your fellow officers. In this case, focusing on the issue of stress allows you to be loyal to your partner and also to assist him in getting the help he needs. Because your partner is willing to seek out help to address the stress he is experiencing you feel it is unnecessary to address what happened during the arrest. Of course, your lieutenant may press the issue and you will have to make a choice as to what to say. It is also possible that, because the incident was not discussed, he may be less inclined to follow through on assistance to deal with his stress which could result in another negative event in the future. To learn more about the blue wall of silence and police culture, see "The Police Culture or Subculture." You outline exactly what happened in your report, choosing your language carefully so as to be supportive of your partner while maintaining your own integrity. Before officially filing it, you take the report to the lieutenant and open a discussion with him about Brandon's recent behaviors and what you believe is the cause of those issues (his personal and professional stress levels). -The Police Organization Providing Peer Assistance (POPPA) was created to address what issues?

Which term refers to patrol units being ordered to respond to a 911 report of person with a firearm?

According to the National Institute of Justice, commonly reported consequences of stress reported by police officers include: cynicism, suspiciousness, extreme aggressiveness, emotional detachment, reduced efficiency, absenteeism, early retirement, marital or family problems, health problems, drug or alcohol problems, PTSD, and suicide. For example, real threats and danger produced by external stressors such as an agitated and physically violent individual may result in an officer responding with extreme aggressiveness. The Police Organization Providing Peer Assistance, or POPPA, was created to address police stress and family problems. However, identifying and investigating wrongdoings resulting from these problems is difficult. Police officers often protect one another from outsiders, even refusing to aid police superiors or other law enforcement officials in investigating other officers, producing a protective barrier known as the blue wall of silence, which produces the blue curtain. This scenario focuses on how continued intense stress affects the behavior of police officers. Yesterday afternoon, you and your partner Officer Brandon Spargiminia were out on patrol when you were called to the scene of a domestic dispute. When you arrived at the scene, a man and woman were screaming at and slapping each other. Spargiminia pulled the female away from scuffle, and you handled the male. As you were talking to the couple, the female became very agitated and leapt to once again attack her boyfriend. In the process, she nearly knocked Spargiminia over, who reacted by slamming her flat on the ground and kneeling on her while he placed her in cuffs. His reaction was forceful enough to break her ankle, and paramedics had to be called to the scene. -Which of the following sources of stress is produced by real threats and danger?

Which is NOT a critical warning sign of potential police suicide is if the officer?

What is it called when a person knowingly creates a situation in which a police officer will have to use deadly force?

According to the Rokeach study, the police personality _______.

In your discussion, Brandon thanks you for backing him up on the report and in the field. You've been partners for five years, and he knows you have his best interests at heart. He breaks down into tears when he admits how out of control he has been feeling lately, and agrees to go with you to speak to the lieutenant -The Police Organization Providing Peer Assistance (POPPA) was created to address what issues?

Four police officers who have been on the job for about five years have been assessed on the Niederhoffer's cynicism scale. Which of the following is the most likely to show the greatest degree of cynicism, anger, and hostility?

Most assaults on police officers involve the use of which of the following weapons?