NCJ Number
80536
Date Published
1981
Length
37 pages
Annotation
Study findings support the hypothesis that the level of authoritarianism in the police personality is related directly to certain social and cultural variables but not to race.
Abstract
The assumption that authoritarianism is an essential quality of white police officers is common in American society. The typical white police officer is generally viewed as cynical, suspicious, conservative, and bigoted (authoritarian characteristics). This study examined whether police officers tend to have common personality traits and if these traits differ by the race of the officer. The study was conducted through a compilation of relevant research findings. There is no evidence that certain personality types are drawn to police work, although most recruits come from the 'working class,' but since socioeconomic status is inversely related to authoritarianism (Boyley, 1965), it can be expected that police recruits are more authoritarian than persons of higher socioeconomic status. A study by McNamara (1967) showed increasing authoritarianism over time in the police officer's personality, with the more experienced officers having higher authoritarian scores. This suggests that the police subculture, peer pressure, older officer role models, and supervisory influence condition officers to become more authoritarian over time. There is no evidence that race is a significant factor in determining the level of authoritarianism among police recruits or experienced officers. Forty-seven bibliographic entries are provided.