Law Enforcement Organization and Administration

Chapter 2

Police Culture

• Culture – is that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, morals, law, custom, and other capabilities and habits acquired by man as member of a society.

Police Subculture

• Subculture – a group that shares in the overall culture of the society but also has its own distinctive values, norms, and lifestyle.

• Major norms of police subculture– Secrecy– Solidarity– Social Isolation

Secrecy• Central to police culture. • Police handle many sensitive matters that deal

with peoples reputations which can be destroyed if sensitive information is made public.

• Those who violate may encounter loss of friends, ostracism, and shortage of back up in dangerous encounters.

Solidarity

• Loyalty to and among the police group

• Police are never alone• Depend on one another

for support, social life, private friendships

Social Isolation

• Perception of hostile public makes police officer feel alone.

• Police officers tend to socialize with other police officers

Characteristics of Police Sub Culture

• Argot Esoteric knowledge – Police sub culture has it own exotic internal language which is used as shorthand for rapid communication among its members.

• Police have special training that is germane to their job

• Cynicism

Cynicism• Pseudo-cynicism – Occurs at the recruit level

and is an attitude that “barely conceals the idealism of commitment beneath the surface.”

• Romantic cynicism – comes within the first five years of the career

• Aggressive cynicism – 10 year mark- resentment and hostility are evident

• Resigned cynicism – Officer accepts the flaws in the system.

Internal Sanctions

• Peer Group Pressure concerning loyalty to the police profession is enormous and overwhelming.

Informal Group Structures

• Typical social groups that exist in an influence police in a department influence include fraternal organizations, ethic groups, sport teams and extended kinship groups.

Psychological Distance

If a police officer becomes too emotionally involved with a victim or citizen he or she is not able to objective decisions.Text example: A police officer encounters and old high school friend he may have to arrest. How do you keep your integrity and live with yourself? The answer: Police officers have few civilian friends and become part of the isolated vocational subculture.

Police Corruption and Internal Norms

• Corruption cannot exist without the active cooperation of top police officials and major figures in the political hierarchy.

• Studies show that it was cliques dominated by older officers that first corrupted the recruits

Positive Police Ethics

• Police are seen as a positive force in the community– Police sponsored youth

ball games– Ride a-long programs– DARE Officers– Heroic acts by police

officers

Police Personality Types

• Tough Cops – Cynical officers who believe that the public is hostile and police supervision is unsupportive. Perform duties aggressively and selectively

• Clean-beat crime fighters – The officers express cynicism and are upset with supervisors who do not support them. Want to fight all crime, including minor crime and believe in the individual rights of citizens.

• Avoiders – Another cynical type and are somewhat hostile, but not while on patrol. Serving time waiting for retirement.

• Problem Solvers – Not aggressive in patrolling tactics. Officers hold favorable attitudes toward community policing and order maintenance.

• Professionals – Officers hold the most favorable attitudes toward innovation and change, supervisors, citizens and procedural guidelines. Off types they have the broadest role orientation.

Minority Group Structures

• Examples– African American

Officers– Female Officers– Gay and Lesbian Officers

Provides support and comrade for minority groups in the police department