Exam 6: Police Culture, Personality, and Stress

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 -Why would someone hesitate to report the aggressive behavior in one's partner?

Is there such a thing as a police culture?

Which of the following contributes to increased cynicism among police officers?

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). -Why would someone hesitate to report the aggressive behavior in one's partner?

The most frequent calls that police officers respond to are to ___________.

What is one of the primary reasons that police officers do NOT seek help from mental health professionals?

What Would You Do? When Brandon reads your report, he is upset with you at first, but admits that you were right to correctly detail what happened during the incident. You tell him that you've spoken to the lieutenant about the issues he's been having recently and how the extreme stress he's been under is likely the root cause. You reassure him that you did this only to seek support-not punishment-for him. -He is angry that you spoke to the lieutenant without him, and you agree that you should have included him in the conversation. You explain that the lieutenant was clear on your intentions for your partner and that he indicated he would call Brandon in later to discuss things. When the lieutenant calls Brandon in, he asks you to join him in the meeting. Do you accept or not?

The suicide rate among police officers is _________.

Police officers are subject to contamination from toxic chemicals such as lye, iodine, and lithium when they must enter where to arrest offenders?

A reaction to a highly stressful situation in which adrenaline is released into the bloodstream is the body's __________.

Which of the following may contribute to keeping police officers safe in the line of duty?

John is a white male police officer who was working patrol until he became disabled while arresting a suspect. After his wife left him, John began abusing alcohol. According to research, John is at higher risk of what than other police officers?

What are some causes of police stress?

Officer Jaynes wants to reduce her chance of exposure to HIV or other infectious diseases while on duty. Which of the following is recommended as a way to achieve that goal?

What is the Dirty Harry problem?

What is a combination of shared norms, values, goals, career patterns, lifestyles, and occupational structures held among police officers that is somewhat different from those of the rest of society?

Why do so many police officers commit suicide?

What type of stress is produced by real threats and dangers?

One recommendation to help prevent police suicide is to provide _________.