NCJ Number
98006
Journal
Journal of Police Science and Administration Volume: 13 Issue: 2 Dated: (June 1985) Pages: 132-137
Date Published
1985
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This article discusses reports recommending in-health services for Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officers and identifies issues which should be addressed in developing policies for psychological services.
Abstract
The report, 'Study of RCMP Health Services', published in December 1977, addressed the need for such services as considering psychological factors in the selection of police recruits. More recently (1981), 'Freedom and Security under the Law,' presented several recommendations focusing on behavioral concerns. Particularly relevant was Recommendation 278, which concerned psychological assistance to members involved in long-term undercover operations. Policy development for psychological services must be research-based; Hammond's mode 3, from his matrix of six modes of inquiry, appears most relevant to RCMP needs. Mode 3 maintains an active control of variables, the use of control groups, an analytic mode of cognition, and the use of descriptive and inferential statistics. Empirical research will ensure the participation of police officers in policy making. Valid, credible, and defendable psychological services will be achieved only with research-based policy development. Additionally, a policy center should be established to focus on both proactive and reactive measures and emphasize the longer term payoffs of a proactive approach. Psychological services should take a career cycle perspective, and health professionals should attempt to separate ethical issues from organizational politics. Finally, because policies and programs are highly interrelated, they should be attended to concurrently. One figure and six references are included.