NCJ Number
50913
Journal
Psychiatric Annals Volume: 8 Issue: 4 Dated: (APRIL 1978) Pages: 200-206
Date Published
1978
Length
6 pages
Annotation
THE PSYCHIATRIC CONSULTANT TO A POLICE DEPARTMENT SHOULD UNDERSTAND POLICE OFFICERS AND POLICE CULTURE BEFORE BEGINNING CONSULTATION. CONSULTANTS CAN SERVE DEPARTMENTS BEST IN THE AREA OF OFFICER SELECTION.
Abstract
IT IS ESSENTIAL FOR A PSYCHIATRIC CONSULTANT TO A POLICE DEPARTMENT TO BE AWARE OF THE POLICE OFFICER'S PROFESSIONAL SITUATION. FEELINGS OF ISOLATION FROM THE GENERAL POPULATION AND SOLIDARITY WITH FELLOW OFFICERS ARE PREVALENT. SUGGESTED AREAS OF LOW PRIORITY FOR THE CONSULTANT INCLUDE FURTHER TRAINING IN INTERPERSONAL RELATIONS FOR OFFICERS ALREADY ON THE FORCE AND RECOMMENDING UNSUITABLE OFFICERS FOR DISCHARGE. SINCE THERE ARE MORE APPLICANTS FOR MOST DEPARTMENTS THEN THERE ARE OPENINGS, EMPHASIS SHOULD BE PLACED ON THE PSYCHIATRIST'S CONSULTING ROLE IN SELECTIVE RECRUITMENT PROGRAMS. A STRESS INTERVIEW HAS BEEN DEVELOPED FOR PROSPECTIVE POLICE OFFICERS TO DETERMINE WHETHER THEY WILL BE SUCCESSFUL IN PUBLIC SERVICE. THE CONSULTANT'S ROLE IS TO PRESS AND EVEN BADGER THE APPLICANT TO OBTAIN THE NEEDED INFORMATION. DURING THE INTERVIEW, THE CONSULTANT SHOULD WATCH FOR SIGNS OF ANXIETY, POSTURE, MANNERISMS, SENSE OF NEEDFULNESS, THE NOTICEABLE SILENCE, THE READY ANSWER, AND PERSONAL REFLECTIONS AND REVELATIONS. ADDITIONAL FACTORS THAT ARE SHOWN TO BE CORRELATED WITH JOB SUCCESS ARE MOTIVATION, STABILITY, MARRIAGE STATUS, PREJUDICES, UNCONTROLLED ANGER AND AGGRESSIVENESS, CHEMICAL ABUSE, SEXUAL DEVIATION, AND JUDGMENT. THE CONTENT OF TWO VERBAL STRESS INTERVIEWS WITH APPLICANTS FOR POLICE OFFICER POSITIONS IN ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MO., ARE PROVIDED. A BIBLIOGRAPHY IS INCLUDED. (JCP)