INTRODUCTION TO THIS ISSUE

Psychology in Law Enforcement

This issue of Behavioral Sciences and the Law is devoted to one of the most exciting “new areas” opf interrelationship in the field. How law enforcement has come to view the possible contributions of the mental health professions in various aspects of police work both at the local as well as national level is an important and complicated recent development. This issue devoted to “Psychology in Law Enforcement” presents a comprehensive analysis of the extent of this interdis- ciplinary collaboration, as well as some of the opportunities and problems in such rdationships. Six thematic articles explore the current relationships between law enforcement and the behavioral sciences, analyzing current developments as well as future opportunities. From these thematic articles, our readers should derive a comprehensive and timely analysis of the various interfaces between law enforcement and the behavioral sciences.

The lead article by Ostrov provides an extensive overview of the current spectrum of relationships between law enforcement and psychology. Space per- mitted only brief descriptions of present developments. An extensive bibliog- raphy provides the reader with multiple directions for independent study. Flan- agan focuses on legal issues and problems across the broadening models of relationship between psychology and the law enforcement. A description of law enforcement psychology and the legal and ethical guidelines and problems as- sociated with this rapidly growing subspecialty is provided. Identifying the perils of police psychology is addressed by Deitz and Reese in their ten strategies for minimizing role conflict when mental health professionals consult to law en- forcement agencies. Readers should carefully note the complexities inherent in such work and be familiar with strategies available for a more comfortable and effective consulting relationship.

The last three thematic articles explore specific examples of collaboration between federal law enforcement agencies and behavioral scientists and mental health professionals. These articles represent unique contributions to the devel-

VOL. 4, NO. 4 1986

352 Introduction

oping literature which is only beginning to document the complex relationships between behavioral science and law enforcment. Douglas and his co-authors review their innovative work with psychological profiling from crime scene analysis, one of the first and most unique applications of psychological concepts to law enforcement. Soskis and Van Zandt review their work and others in hostage negotiation, another example of the application of interdisciplinary ef- forts in addressing one of society’s most complex problems. Finally, an excellent review article by Carney and Baker provides a unique “look” into the development and functioning of the U.S. Secret Service and the impact that behavior science theory and practice could have upon the agency in terms of future directions. The article provides a sense of how a major federal law enforcement agency is addressing specific mandates to include appropriate behavioral science theory and practice in certain of its most sensitive activities.

Vol. 4, No. 4 concludes with two outstanding articles non-thematic articles. Ben Shakkar and his colleagues provide in a “Special Perspective” a most schol- arly update on the scientific and judicial controversies surrounding the use of polygraphy in law enforcement. Behavioral Sciences and the Law has dealt with the issue in earlier publications, but the scholarship of the analyses by the present authors was felt by the editors to warrant an update. Finally, an excellent “Re- search Report” by Pogrebin and his colleagues presents interesting data on bank embezzlers The study attempts to construct a profile of contemporary bank embezzlers utilizing data form the U.S. Probation Office in Denver.

The editors are pleased with this special issue of Behavioral Sciences and the Law devoted to “Psychology and Law Enforcement.” We are hopeful that readers find the topics selected for inclusion as worthwhile.

James L. Cavanaugh, Jr., M.D. Editor

Richard R. Rogers, Ph.D. Co-Edi tor