NCJ Number
52768
Journal
International Criminal Police Review Volume: 33 Issue: 320 Dated: (AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 1978) Pages: 210-212
Date Published
1978
Length
3 pages
Annotation
THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE STAFF OR CONSULTANT POLICE PSYCHOLOGIST IS SUPPORTED BY THE EXAMPLE OF THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT'S USE OF SUCH PERSONNEL.
Abstract
ALTHOUGH POLICE WORK IS INTRINSICALLY INVOLVED WITH HUMAN BEHAVIOR, ONLY MINIMAL TRAINING IN PSYCHOLOGY IS PROVIDED TO POLICE OFFICERS. IN BOTH ACTUAL POLICE OPERATIONS AND IN THE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF PERSONNEL DIFFICULTIES, THE PRESENCE AND USE OF TRAINED PROFESSIONALS HAS PROVED VALUABLE. IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY, THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT PSYCHOLOGIST HAS BEEN USED TO COPE WITH HOSTAGE NEGOTIATIONS, SEX CRIMES, SUICIDAL PEOPLE, AND BARRICADED SUSPECTS. AFTER CONSULTING WITH THE FAMILIES OF SUSPECTS, THE PSYCHOLOGIST HAS PROVIDED IMPORTANT SUGGESTIONS REGARDING THE SAFEST METHODS OF HANDLING TENSE SITUATIONS. THE ESSENTIAL NEUTRALITY OF THE SKILLED PROFESSIONAL, EVEN AS A POLICE EMPLOYEE, IS USEFUL IN REDUCING A SUSPECT'S FEARS. LIKEWISE THE AVAILABILITY OF NEUTRAL AND CONFIDENTIAL COUNSELING FOR POLICE OFFICERS AND THEIR FAMILIES HAS BEEN BENEFICIAL IN PREVENTING AND SOLVING PROBLEMS SUCH AS ALCOHOLISM AND MARTIAL STRESS. BY ESTABLISHING A RELATIONSHIP BASED ON TRUST WITH THE PATROL OFFICERS, THE PSYCHOLOGIST WILL BE MORE LIKELY TO BE SOUGHT OUT BY PERSONNEL WHO WOULD OTHERWISE BE SUSPICIOUS OF COUNSELING. THE 'DEFUSING' OF OFFICERS' ORDINARY PERSONAL PROBLEMS BY THE PSYCHOLOGIST MAY RESULT IN SAVINGS TO POLICE DEPARTMENTS BY REDUCING MANPOWER LOSS AND THE NEED FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT CAUSED BY OFFICERS' UNSPOKEN PSYCHOLOGICAL CONFLICTS. THE POLICE PSYCHOLOGIST CAN FAMILIARIZE PATROL OFFICERS WITH THE CAUSES OF AND BEST SOLUTIONS TO HUMAN RELATIONS PROBLEMS WHICH THEY MAY ENCOUNTER DURING THEIR WORK. (TWK)