Law Enforcement Organization and Administration Chapter 2 Police

Law Enforcement Organization and Administration Chapter 2

Police Culture • Culture – is that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, morals, law, custom, and other capabilities and habits acquired by man as member of a society.

Police Subculture • Subculture – a group that shares in the overall culture of the society but also has its own distinctive values, norms, and lifestyle. • Major norms of police subculture – Secrecy – Solidarity – Social Isolation

Secrecy • Central to police culture. • Police handle many sensitive matters that deal with peoples reputations which can be destroyed if sensitive information is made public. • Those who violate may encounter loss of friends, ostracism, and shortage of back up in dangerous encounters.

Solidarity • Loyalty to and among the police group • Police are never alone • Depend on one another for support, social life, private friendships

Social Isolation • Perception of hostile public makes police officer feel alone. • Police officers tend to socialize with other police officers

Characteristics of Police Sub Culture • Argot Esoteric knowledge – Police sub culture has it own exotic internal language which is used as shorthand for rapid communication among its members. • Police have special training that is germane to their job • Cynicism

Cynicism • Pseudo-cynicism – Occurs at the recruit level and is an attitude that “barely conceals the idealism of commitment beneath the surface. ” • Romantic cynicism – comes within the first five years of the career • Aggressive cynicism – 10 year markresentment and hostility are evident • Resigned cynicism – Officer accepts the flaws in the system.

Internal Sanctions • Peer Group Pressure concerning loyalty to the police profession is enormous and overwhelming.

Informal Group Structures • Typical social groups that exist in an influence police in a department influence include fraternal organizations, ethic groups, sport teams and extended kinship groups.

Psychological Distance If a police officer becomes too emotionally involved with a victim or citizen he or she is not able to objective decisions. Text example: A police officer encounters and old high school friend he may have to arrest. How do you keep your integrity and live with yourself? The answer: Police officers have few civilian friends and become part of the isolated vocational subculture.

Police Corruption and Internal Norms • Corruption cannot exist without the active cooperation of top police officials and major figures in the political hierarchy. • Studies show that it was cliques dominated by older officers that first corrupted the recruits

Positive Police Ethics • Police are seen as a positive force in the community – Police sponsored youth ball games – Ride a-long programs – DARE Officers – Heroic acts by police officers

Police Personality Types • Tough Cops – Cynical officers who believe that the public is hostile and police supervision is unsupportive. Perform duties aggressively and selectively • Clean-beat crime fighters – The officers express cynicism and are upset with supervisors who do not support them. Want to fight all crime, including minor crime and believe in the individual rights of citizens.

• Avoiders – Another cynical type and are somewhat hostile, but not while on patrol. Serving time waiting for retirement. • Problem Solvers – Not aggressive in patrolling tactics. Officers hold favorable attitudes toward community policing and order maintenance.

• Professionals – Officers hold the most favorable attitudes toward innovation and change, supervisors, citizens and procedural guidelines. Off types they have the broadest role orientation.

Minority Group Structures • Examples – African American Officers – Female Officers – Gay and Lesbian Officers Provides support and comrade for minority groups in the police department