NCJ Number
69497
Date Published
Unknown
Length
0 pages
Annotation
THIS POLICE TRAINING FILM INCLUDES INTERVIEWS OF SEVERAL POLICE OFFICERS EXPRESSING THEIR VIEWS ON HOW THEY SHOULD REPRESENT THEMSELVES WHEN DEALING WITH THE PUBLIC.
Abstract
ONE OFFICER SAID THAT COMPLAINTS ABOUT OFFICER BEHAVIOR AND ATTITUDE SHOULD LEAD TO GREATER SELF-EVALUATION, BUT THAT MANY OFFICERS DO NOT WANT TO DO THAT. ANOTHER VIEWED OFFICERS AS ACTORS WHO PUT ON A FRONT IN ORDER TO GET THE JOB DONE AND TALKED IN THE MOST APPROPRIATE LANGUAGE FOR THE PUBLIC TO UNDERSTAND. THE POLICE IMAGE WAS SEEN AS CREATING PUBLIC FEAR OF POLICE OFFICERS THAT COULD BE EXACERBATED BY IMPROPER ACTION. FOR EXAMPLE, OFFICERS SHOULD NOT USE EXCESSIVE FORCE WHEN MAKING AN ARREST. ONE OFFICER FELT THAT SOME OFFICERS HAD AN ATTITUDE OF SUPERIORITY BECAUSE OF AN INFERIORITY COMPLEX, AND THAT MANY OFFICERS TOOK THEMSELVES TOO SERIOUSLY. THERE WAS A FEELING OF CONFUSION AND INSECURITY AMONG OFFICERS ATTRIBUTED THIS PROBLEM TO PEER GROUP PRESSURE AND SAID OFFICERS TENDED TO CATEGORIZE PEOPLE UNJUSTLY. THE ROLE OF THE OFFICER WAS SEEN AS HELPING PEOPLE SOLVE THEIR PROBLEMS. AN INSTRUCTOR'S GUIDE IS INCLUDED.