NCJ Number
137022
Date Published
1991
Length
244 pages
Annotation
This book adopts a psychodynamic approach to explore the motivations, anxieties, psychological defenses, and resultant behavior of male police officers in urban settings.
Abstract
The author provides a theoretical overview of the psychodynamic approach to human behavior and discusses the concept of ambivalence -- the simultaneous feeling of love and hate -- that exists between the policeman and the public, the police department, his family and friends, and his fellow officers. A core section of the book examines the policeman's love and hatred for his job. Other chapters detail how policemen cope with ambivalence; outline the role of defense mechanisms as coping devices; and explore the issues of police stress, the police personality, myths of the "dumb cop," police corruption, and police brutality. The book concludes with a discussion of the problems of police officer alcohol abuse, suicide, marital difficulties, trauma, and line-of-duty injuries followed by proposals for addressing the pervasive influence of ambivalence on policemen; these proposals are addressed to the public, the police department, the officer's family and friends, fellow police officers, and the individual officer. 204 references and a subject index