Deck 6: Police Culture, Personality, and Stress

Question 1

Is there such a thing as a police culture?

Answer 1

The word culture refers to patterns of human activity or the way of life for a society. It generally includes informal codes or rules of manners, dress, language, behavior, rituals, and systems of belief. Large societies often have subcultures, or groups of people with distinct sets of values, attitudes, behaviors, and beliefs that differentiate them from the larger culture of which they are a part. Many researchers point to a distinct police culture or subculture that is characterized by clannishness, isolation from the public, secrecy, honor, loyalty, and individuality. Factors that contribute to the development of a police culture among officers include working unusual shifts, socializing with other officers and their families when off duty, pride in having an honorable job that involves risk taking, loyalty to other officers (their backup), being in danger or harm's way, lack of understanding from the general public about what the police go through, and dealing constantly with the criminal element in society.
The police culture or subculture produces a protective barrier known as the "blue wall of silence." Dr. Neal Trautman, Director of the National Institute of Ethics, presented a research paper to the legal officers' section of the International Association of Chiefs of Police at the year 2000 IACP conference. His study of 2,698 currently employed officers in 21 states found that 46 percent of those officers had witnessed misconduct but did not report it. This same study also found that 73 percent of the individuals who were "pressuring the individuals to keep quiet" were supervisors. In addition, the study found that 79 percent of police academy recruits in 25 basic law enforcement academies believed that a code of silence exists.
Trautman proposed a solution to the problem of a code of silence with his "Code of Silence Antidote" (COSA). According to Trautman, if the 32 standards included in his code are implemented and followed, "scandals involving multiple officers can be practically eliminated."

Question 2

What is the Dirty Harry problem?

Answer 2

Dirty Harry refers to a character, Detective Harry Callahan, from the 1971 film Dirty Harry. In the film, Harry uses illegal methods to achieve the goal of law enforcement. Police officers are often confronted with situations in which they feel forced to take certain illegal actions to achieve a greater good. Do good ends ever justify bad means? This is the moral and ethical question that all police officers face.

Question 3

What are some causes of police stress?

Answer 3

The very nature of police work is stressful. Stress is defined as the body's reaction to internal or external stimuli that upset the body's normal state and create a flight-or-fight response. Police are at risk of being put into stressful situations each time they put on the police uniform. Sometimes they have to make a split-second decision that could cost a human being his or her life, while knowing that the courts will have years to scrutinize that particular decision. Police officers do shift work that contributes to bodily fatigue. The personal safety of a police officer is constantly being threatened by other human beings as well as by traffic and other outside forces.

Question 4

Why do so many police officers commit suicide?

Question 5

What dangers do police face in the field?

Question 6

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?

A) extreme aggressiveness
B) reduced efficiency
C) cynicism
D) emotional detachment

Question 7

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?

A) external stress
B) organizational stress
C) personal stress
D) operational stress

Question 8

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?

Question 9

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?

A) police stress and suicide
B) police stress and excessive aggressiveness
C) police stress and alcohol problems
D) police stress and family problems

Question 10

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?

A) the Blue Wall of Silence
B) police cynicism
C) police personality
D) the Dirty Harry Problem

Question 11

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?

Question 12

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?

A) police stress and suicide
B) police stress and excessive aggressiveness
C) police stress and alcohol problems
D) police stress and family problems

Question 13

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?

A) the Blue Wall of Silence
B) police cynicism
C) police personality
D) the Dirty Harry Problem

Question 14

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?

Question 15

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?

A) the police subculture
B) the correctional system
C) the mental orientation
D) the peacekeeping way of life

Question 16

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?

A) subculture
B) backup
C) culture
D) brotherhood

Question 17

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

A) the thin blue line
B) the brotherhood of the badge
C) the blue wall of silence
D) police cynicism

Question 18

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?

A) 32 percent
B) 79 percent
C) 46 percent
D) none of these

Question 19

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

A) The public will lose faith in the integrity of the police force.
B) Society will be safer when police provide backup for each other.
C) Society will be safer when the truth reaches supervisors and is then revealed.
D) The public will have greater faith in the police force because of they have a code of honor.

Question 20

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

A) calmness
B) suspicion
C) optimism
D) enthusiasm

Question 21

According to the Rokeach study, the police personality _______.

A) is a result of the officer's socialization and experiences in the department
B) begins to change shortly after their induction into the policing environment
C) is an existing characteristic that police departments seek in recruiting
D) is associated with social values such as family security and mature love

Question 22

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?

A) Officer Reinhold, a white male
B) Officer Reynolds, a black male
C) Officer Lamonze, a white female
D) Officer Ritter, a black female

Question 23

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

A) constant contact with offenders
B) decreased length of service
C) having a college education and receiving a promotion
D) helps the relationship between the police and the public

Question 24

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?

A) French Connection
B) Dirty Harry
C) Lethal Weapon
D) Serpico

Question 25

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

A) stakeout
B) emergency response
C) gun run
D) felony gun possession

Question 26

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

A) adrenergic response
B) flight-or-fight response
C) learned helplessness response
D) fear response

Question 27

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?

A) 1
B) 7
C) 4
D) 9

Question 28

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

A) operational
B) personal
C) organizational
D) external

Question 29

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

A) police baiting
B) suicide by cop
C) harassment
D) entrapment

Question 30

The suicide rate among police officers is _________.

A) much higher than the general population
B) much lower than the general population
C) lower than the general population but higher than firefighters
D) equivalent to that of the general population

Question 31

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?

A) heart attack
B) suicide
C) disciplinary action
D) bankruptcy

Question 32

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

A) a merit award system for stoicism, so police officers will be proud to withstand their problems
B) prophylactic antidepressants as preventative medicine for officers at risk of depression
C) a convenient and non-stigmatizing system for referring distressed officers for psychological help
D) an early retirement system for officers showing signs of depression, especially those who are disabled

Question 33

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

A) Refuses to accept patrol assignments.
B) Expresses the belief that life is meaningless or hopeless.
C) Is self-isolating from friends and family.
D) Experiences sudden and unexplained improvement in mood after being depressed or withdrawn.

Question 34

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

A) Many officers believe that seeking professional help is a sign of weakness.
B) Psychological counseling is not one of the benefits in the police union contract.
C) Mental health counseling has not been shown to reduce rates of police suicide.
D) Police officers do not have time to meet with mental health counselors.

Question 35

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

A) domestic disputes
B) homicides
C) burglaries
D) unknown disturbances

Question 36

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

A) known drug dens
B) methamphetamine labs
C) hospitals
D) industrial areas

Question 37

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

A) An increase in the use of body armor, which renders the wearer essentially "bulletproof," helps keep officers safe in the line of duty.
B) Professional criminals are unlikely to kill anyone, even a police officer, if they think it will be "bad for business."
C) Officers are safer in the line of duty with improved training to obtain information, obtain cover, and wait for backup before entering a potentially dangerous situation
D) A decrease in the stigma associated with mental health counseling keeps more police officers mentally and emotionally stable, so they are better able to avoid dangerous situations.

Question 38

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

A) hands, feet, and fists
B) firearms
C) knives
D) other types of dangerous weapons

Question 39

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?

A) refusing to handle incidents involving persons infected with infectious diseases
B) using the National HIV Database to determine if a person is infected with the virus before touching them
C) avoiding being the responder who renders first aid to anyone who is already bleeding
D) using universal precautions that protect against contact with bodily fluids