Police Personalities: Understanding and Managing the Problem Officer

• NCJ Number: 200454
• Journal: Police Chief Volume: 70 Issue: 5 Dated: May 2003 Pages: 53-60
• Author(s): Laurence Miller
• Date Published: May 2003
• Length: 8 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Instructional Material
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

In order to help police supervisors and administrators understand and manage a problem officer, this article profiles the behavioral and work styles of various personality types and offers management strategies for each personality type.

Abstract

The histrionic personality has a pattern of excessive emotionality, attention-seeking, need for excitement, flamboyant theatricality in speech and behavior, an impressionistic and impulsive cognitive style, and use of exaggeration to maintain largely superficial relationships to meet emotional needs. The borderline personality manifests a pattern of instability in interpersonal relationships, a fragile self-image, and wild emotional swings. The narcissistic personality displays a pattern of grandiosity, sense of entitlement, arrogance, need for admiration, and lack of empathy for others' feelings or opinions. The antisocial personality shows a pattern of consistent disregard for and violation of the rights of others and is typically associated with impulsivity; criminal behavior; sexual promiscuity; substance abuse; and an exploitative parasitic, or predatory lifestyle. The paranoid personality manifests a pattern of pervasive distrust and suspiciousness, such that others' actions and motives are almost invariably interpreted as deceptive persecutory, or malevolent. The avoidant personality is characterized by social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, and hypersensitivity to negative evaluation or criticism. The dependent personality tends to be submissive and clinging, stemming from an excessive need for care and guidance. The obsessive-compulsive personality is preoccupied with orderliness, perfection, and control; and the schizoid personality manifests aloof detachment from social interaction and has a restricted range of emotional expression. This article indicates how each of the aforementioned personality types is likely to function in police tasks and interactions. Suggested management strategies for each personality type are intended to yield the most productive responses and work-related behaviors for officers with the personality type.