NCJ Number
13558
Date Published
1974
Length
28 pages
Annotation
PSCHOLOGIST'S ARGUMENT THAT POLICE ARE SUFFERING SEVERE STRAIN AS A RESULT OF THE JOB, INCLUDING THE DECLINE OF PUBLIC REGARD.
Abstract
ALTHOUGH THE LINE OF WORK IS OFTEN DANGEROUS, THIS AFFECTS POLICE MORALE AND HEALTH LESS THAN OTHER FACTORS DO, ACCORDING TO THE AUTHOR. POLICE FEEL 'HASSLED' BY THEIR OWN ADMINISTRATORS, BY JUDGES WHO REPRIMAND THEM, BY ATTORNEYS WHO HUMILIATE THEM, AND BY A PUBLIC WHICH IS OFTEN OPENLY CONTEMPTUOUS. CONTARY TO PUBLIC OPINION, HE CONTENDS, PEOPLE WHO BECOME POLICEMEN ARE NOT NEUROTIC BRUTES, BUT HEALTHY NORMAL HUMAN BEINGS. WITHIN AS LITTLE AS THREE MONTHS, HOWEVER, THE POLICEMAN'S PERFORMANCE, HEALTH, AND HOME LIFE MAY REFLECT THE EFFECT OF THE NEGATIVE COMMUNITY ATTITUDES. THE POLICEMAN MAY COPE WITH THE PRESSURES BY DEADENING SENSITIVITY AND BY AVOIDING INVOLVEMENT. ULCERS, CORONARY ATTACKS, AND SUICIDES ARE HIGH.