NCJ Number
54940
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 48 Issue: 2 Dated: (FEBRUARY 1979) Pages: 8-12
Date Published
1979
Length
5 pages
Annotation
COUNSELING PROGRAMS FOR POLICE OFFICERS ARE DISCUSSED, WITH SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE USE OF POLICE OFFICERS AS COUNSELORS.
Abstract
THE COMMON IDENTITY AND AWARENESS OF MUTUAL PROBLEMS MAY BE A USEFUL RESOURCE FOR DEALING WITH THE SERIOUS PERSONNEL PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE POLICING PROFESSION. THE USE OF THIS RESOURCE COULD COUNTER THE PROBLEMS OF DIVORCE, ALCOHOLISM, AND POTENTIAL SUICIDE WHICH CONTRIBUTE TO THE PSYCHOLOGICAL UNFITNESS OF UP TO 35 PERCENT OF THE OFFICERS ON SOME POLICE FORCES. EVEN AMONG OFFICERS WHO ARE BASICALLY SOUND FROM A PSYCHIATRIC PERSPECTIVE, IT IS SPECULATED THAT THE MAJORITY ARE OFTEN IN NEED OF SOME SORT OF GUIDANCE IN ORDER TO RECOGNIZE THEIR PERSONNEL WEAKNESSES AND TO OVERCOME THE ADVERSE AFFECTS OF THEIR JOB. AREAS OF STRESS FOR POLICE OFFICERS ARE NOTED IN THE ROLE CONFLICTS WHICH DEVELOP AS OFFICERS CONTRAST THE LEGALISTIC SOLUTIONS OF THEIR TRAINING WITH THE APPROPRIATE COMMONSENSE ANSWERS TO HUMAN PROBLEMS. ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS FACED BY THE POLICE INCLUDE THE CULTURE SHOCK OF THE INDIVIDUAL OFFICER WHO MUST WORK IN AN ENVIRONMENT CONTAINING VASTLY DIFFERENT CONCEPTS OF MORALITY AND BEHAVIOR THAN THOSE POLICIES WHICH GUIDE THE OFFICER. THE COLDNESS OR INSENSITIVITY WHICH OFFICERS MAY USE TO SHIELD THEMSELVES FROM THE CONDITIONS OF THEIR JOB MAY CARRY OVER INTO THEIR FAMILY LIFE, RESULTING IN UNSTABLE RELATIONSHIPS THAT DETRACT FROM THE OFFICER'S PROFESSIONAL SUCCESS AS WELL AS FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS. ALTHOUGH SUCH PROBLEMS MAY NOT REQUIRE INTENSIVE PSYCHOTHERAPY, THEY DO REQUIRE ATTENTION. THE NEEDS OF POLICE PERSONNEL MAY BE MET THROUGH A VARIETY OF SERVICES INCLUDING PSYCHOLOGISTS' PARTICIPATION IN RECRUITING AND PROMOTION SELECTION, AND IN FIELD EMERGENCIES SUCH AS THREATENED SUICIDES. A PANEL OF OFFICERS' PEERS IS SEEN AS BEING USEFUL IN THE REVIEW OF COMPLAINTS IN A NONPUNITIVE AND CONFIDENTIAL ATMOSPHERE. PEER COUNSELING MAY BE PARTICULARLY EFFECTIVE IF DIRECTED TO SPECIFIC PROBLEM AREAS SUCH AS ALCOHOLISM. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT POLICE DEPARTMENTS UTILIZE THEIR OWN PERSONNEL AS COUNSELORS, AFTER THESE COUNSELORS HAVE HAD ADDITIONAL TRAINING IN BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE. SUCH A PROGRAM MIGHT ACHIEVE BETTER RESULTS THAN THE USE OF OUTSIDE PERSONNEL, WHOM THE OFFICERS MAY FEEL RELUCTANT TO TURN TO FOR AID. POLICE OFFICER COUNSELORS COULD APPLY THE ADDITIONAL TRAINING TO EXPERIENCE AS A FIELD OFFICER AND USE THIS INSIGHT TO MAKE THEIR ADVICE MORE ACCEPTABLE TO THEIR FELLOW OFFICERS. IF FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS WARRANTED THE COUNSELOR COULD THEN REFER THE OFFICER TO NONPOLICE SERVICES. (TWK)