NCJ Number
66597
Journal
Journal of Police Science and Administration Volume: 8 Issue: 1 Dated: (MARCH 1980) Pages: 31-39
Date Published
1980
Length
9 pages
Annotation
THIS ARTICLE EXPLORES PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES AVAILABLE TO POLICE AND SUGGESTS THAT THESE SERVICES CAN HELP IMPROVE POLICE COMMUNICATION WITH THE PUBLIC, INCREASE MANAGEMENT INSIGHT, AND ASSIST POLICE SPOUSES.
Abstract
PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES HAVE BEEN USED TO SCREEN INDIVIDUALS ENTERING LAW ENFORCEMENT CAREERS, TO COUNSEL POLICE OFFICERS WITH PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL INJURIES, AND TO ASSIST POLICE ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE INCREASINGLY BEING HELD NEGLIGENTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES. ONLY SINCE 1967, HOWEVER, HAVE PSYCHOLOGISTS BEEN EMPLOYED FULL TIME TO WORK DIRECTLY FOR POLICE DEPARTMENTS AND THEIR PERSONNEL. CRITERIA IN SELECTING PSYCHOLOGISTS INCLUDE THEIR ROLES WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT; THE PSYCHOLOGISTS' EXPECTATIONS AND UNDERSTANDING OF LAW ENFORCEMENT; THEIR AGE, SEX, AND AREA OF SPECIALTY; AND OFFICE LOCATION AND AVAILABILITY. COUNSELING CAN BE EITHER MANDATORY OR VOLUNTARY, ALTHOUGH PSYCHOLOGISTS FIND IT DIFFICULT TO DEAL WITH BOTH TYPES. PEER COUNSELING CAN BE VALUABLE FOR POLICE ALCOHOLICS AND WIDOWS OF SLAIN POLICE OFFICERS OR IN RETIREMENT PLANNING. PSYCHOLOGISTS CAN BE USEFUL IN HELPING MANAGEMENT IMPLEMENT NEW PROGRAMS AND IN HOSTAGE NEGOTIATIONS WHERE THE PSYCHOLOGIST OPERATES AS A TEAM MEMBER. THEY CAN TAKE PART IN INVESTIGATIONS BY PROVIDING HYPNOSIS SESSIONS TO VICTIMS AND WITNESSES AND CAN ESTABLISH PSYCHOLOGICAL PROFILES OF SERIOUS CRIME PERPETRATORS. PSYCHOLOGISTS CAN INCREASE EFFECTIVE POLICE OFFICER COMMUNICATION THROUGH THE USE OF SELF-AWARENESS TECHNIQUES, AND TECHNIQUES FOR PARTICULAR SITUATIONS SUCH AS FAMILY DISPUTES OR DEATH NOTIFICATIONS. THEY CAN HELP IMPROVE MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES, REDUCE THE STRESS OF POLICE INTERNAL INVESTIGATIONS, AND HELP INCREASE UNDERSTANDING OF LAW ENFORCEMENT WORK AMONG SPOUSES. FOOTNOTES ARE GIVEN. (AOP)