Police Culture and Stress in Policing

Police cultureRoxabel Perez, Stacy Williams & Twanna MaccleaveCJA/214October 23, 2014Clifton Scott Franklin

Police Culture and Stress in Policing

Stress in PolicingEustress Occupational Distress

Being a police officer is a demanding, dangerous job that can stress any police officer. Police officers tend to experience stress for two occupational reasons. One, Eustress which is the normal and good , even providing on-the-job motivation and Distress, stress that is outside of the normal range and very harmful ovaertime.3

Internal and External Organizational StressorsExternal StressorsInternal StressorsIneffective criminal justice systemOverly lenient courtsPoor police minority relationsPolitical interference in police policy and decision making.Lack of community supportOverly tough supervision absence of promotional opportunities.Poor or substandard equipmentTroublesome or offensive internal policies and procedures

External organizational stressors is outside pressures place on the police as a group by the criminal justice system or community at large.Internal organization stressors consist of the relationship between the individual police officer and his/her department.4

Work Related StressorsWork FatigueRotating shift patternsPersistent fear and danger associated with police workDealing with victims and their familiesLack of control over progress of cases

Is the day to day work done by police officers, which can be a negative impact on officers on the street5

Effects of Stress(PTSD) Posttraumatic StressPolice SuicidesPhysical and Emotional Consequences

Police CultureInformal ValuesBeliefsExpectationsRegulationsProceduresloyalty

Police culture is the values, beliefs and expectations passed on to newcomers in the department; may be at odds with the formal rules and regulations, procedures and role authority of managers. It also consist of group loyalty and social asolation.7

The Code of Silence

The refusal of police officers to report any misconduct by other officers. Excessive use of force was the reason for this code to emerge. 8

References..Grant,B.H.,& Terry, J.K.( Chap 5). Law Enforcement in the 21st Century (3rd ed.). Miller. S, Hess,K,M & Orthomann,C,H (pg 36).Community Policing. Partnerships for Problem Solving ( 6th ed.).