Police Culture Socialization

Literature Review

The sociological factors analyzed in this research include police culture, personality, and stress. This paper focuses directly on the socialization process new officers encounter upon transitioning from the role of a regular civilian to that of a law enforcement figure. Examples of this evolution consist of a process in which the individual gradually isolates from the community and previous social roles. Moreover, the officer’s role as a spouse and/or parent is negatively affected as a result of the rigorous demands of the occupation. Officers exhibit a cultural shock, which affects their personal state, as well as their families, and the societies. Several sociologists have examined the social characteristics individuals develop throughout their career as a police officer. For instance, a new mentality encouraging mistrust and cynicism is established.

Some of the social scientists that have conducted scholarly and academic research on the socialization of police officers include experiments (Gaines & Rogers, 2012; Kitaeff, 2011; Dempsey & Forst, 2008). In addition to the culture, personality, and stress factors that affect the socialization of police officers, research revealed that once officers adapt to their new role in society, the process of retirement is a challenging stage in their lives. Contrary to the changes aforementioned, officers experience feelings, such as a lack of self-fulfillment, self-purpose, and authority. According to Raub, these social features cause long term consequences (1987). As a result, retired officers engage in negative social behaviors, such as drinking and substance abuse to occupy time. Additionally, this research presents an example of socialization in another country. The study concludes with a summary of the journey officers travel through the socialization process.

Police Culture Socialization

Police officers engage in sociological characteristics that differ from those displayed by regular civilians. Generally, a social being is one who integrates with social groups and participates in civic engagement. Although law enforcers are unmistakably engaged in civic responsibilities, as part of their occupation, they are mostly withdrawn from the public and enter a new social group of police officers. The isolation of public officers and their previous social lives is associated with their idea of danger and distrust caused by the people in society. Regardless of the new social groups police officers become a part of, there is a balance between the emotional self and stress, caused by their new social role. This new separation is conducive to a social isolation, which might lead to oppressed emotions.

This paper defines police culture as the behavior, believes, and exposure officers encounter on a regular basis. Civilians view police officers both on foot and car patrol as an example and role model. As a representative of the state, people view officers as the law. Conversely, some people view officers as the opposite of what their ideal image should be. This creates a social conflict between the people and the authority. Some individuals believe that the police are the first example of a corrupt and unjust criminal justice system. While it is unknown whether an altering personality occurs during or after the Police Academy training, this paper supports the socialization from civilian personality to that of a police officer is more likely to occur at the beginning phase of on the job training, which can last between one to three years.

Socialization in Progress

The process of socialization from the role of a regular civilian to the role of a police officer is quite drastic. Police officers are sociologically, psychologically, and physically prepared to enter this new social structure via the Police Academy. Through this intense training, officers acquire new personality traits, such as constant suspicion, insecurity, and cynicism. Ideally, police officers enter the occupation to enforce the law in hopes of a better society and humanity. Conversely, officers adapt a sense of hopelessness and a damned humanity (Gaines & Rogers, 2012; Kitaeff, 2011). Due to the characteristics presented above, police officers develop blue curtains.

Eventually, the insulation breeds mistrust, and the police officer develops as “us versus them” outlook toward those outside the force. In turn, this outlook creates what sociologist William Westly called the blue curtain, also known as the “blue wall of silence” or simply “the code.” (Gaines & Rogers, 2012, p. 194). Ultimately, instead of lowering and fighting crime, officers begin to utilize additional violence thus, increasing crime.

Police officers are exposed to several social struggles, such as the dirty Harry problem. Similar to two wrongs do not make a right, the Harry struggle presents the fact that a good end reached through wrongful actions does not justify the means (Dempsey & Forst, 2008). For instance, torturing a man using electric shocks is a violation to the officer’s allegiance and oath of office to the state and the United States Constitution. Discovering the truth through an inhumane and coerced method does not justify the means that brought such confession. Inevitably, these regular temptations contribute to a high stress factor.

Often times, officers are presented with situations of extreme emergencies that involve gun use. These situations are not predictable; therefore, the officer has to be in constant preparation, which leads to a constant response to internal and external stimulus; thus, altering the body’s regular rhythm. Eventually, a life lived in constant stress will exhaust the body. To release some of the stress caused by adequate compensation, fatigue, and the constant exposure to crime, some police officers approach negative alternatives, such as alcohol and other types of substance abuse. Contrary to methods such as physical exercises and social support groups, these alternatives provide a temporary relief to social stress; however, long term consequences tend to follow such actions.

The socialization of officers into police culture results in a detachment from social groups, such as the family. This isolation is caused by job requirements, such as fluctuating and unpredictable work schedules or on-call emergencies. Such absence of the police officer from the family creates a conflict between the individual’s identity as a police officer and their role in other social groups, such as a spouse and/or parent. As occupation demands increases, their social role as a spouse or parent is more likely to decrease. As soon as police officers let go their regular social life to occupy a role of authority, they are immediately seen as enemies by delinquents and criminals alike. For this reason, police officers are ranked as one of the highest groups of suicide; thus, affecting their families.

Culture

Before police officers became a figure of authority, they were normal civilians abiding by the regular rules of society. The process of adapting to this new cultural environment was performed through the completion of the Police Academy and a period of three years thereafter. As police officers acquire experience in a new social institution, such as the police department, they begin to learn different skills, such as reading non-spoken languages. Studies have revealed that police officers become isolated from the regular civilian world while increasing solidarity with its social group composed of fellow police officers (Loftus, 2012). While law officers seek to reduce crime and evil behavior, responsibilities of the job leads them to the use of violence to prevent it.

Because of their authority, he also suggested that officers became socially isolated from the outside world and exhibited a high degree of internal conservatism as a behavioral response in the police; as he explains, ‘the fact that a man is engaged in enforcing a set of rules implies that he also becomes implicated in affirming them’ (ibid: 59; emphasis in original) (Loftus, 2012, pp. 6-7).

This is a common behavior followed by officers; thus, it is silenced and ignored. Eventually, officers learn to view this behavior as a normal part of their routine work and begin to accept it as part of their culture. The human innate desire to live with a purpose, self-efficacy, and self-fulfillment continues to exist in the lives of police officers.

The process of socialization from civilian to officers is more likely to alter this perspective. Additionally, social cultural changes present a process of learning how to effectively control situations with civilians in a multicultural society. This new cultural adaptation is crucial to performing their occupation in an effective and just manner. This is especially necessary in states with an increasingly diverse population. Barriers such as language and race can easily be a target for acts of discrimination derived from civilians and officers alike (Holmes & Smith, 2008). Police culture and socialization is not only a concern in the United States. Countries such as Australia encounter socialization as well.

Two hundred years of white settlement have turned Australia’s indigenous people into the most marginalized and disadvantaged group in society, constantly subject to harassment, discrimination, exclusion, and even racist violence. It was estimated that 20,000 Aborigines were killed in frontier conflict alone. . . . A national inquiry found widespread racist violence against a Boriginal and Islander people across Australia, with the conduct of police officers cited as a major problem (ibid.: 69-122) (Chan, 1997, p. 16).

Police culture is of concern in countries other than the United States. Such matters are to be addressed by each country individually to lower the risks of police corruption; thus, an unethical legal system. Without the proper sociological treatments, power and authority can easily be overused; thus, creating more crime. This connects with the Harry problem where police officers are regularly tempted to use violent methods to obtain positive results; thus, violating the allegiance and oath of office to the state and the United States Constitution.

Personality

Police officers acquire a personality that best suits the new lifestyle as representatives of the law in view of civilians. Two methods police use to gain new personalities is through the predisposition and socialization models (Berg, 1999). An occupation in the legal field leads to a significant difference in social and legal responsibilities contrasted to professions in other industries. These variances design distinctive personality characteristics, such as dominance, possessiveness, and doubtful views about others. Conversely, socialization is the process by which behavior and emotion is expressed by police officers in contrast to civilians. Although new personality traits are acquired after the individual completed the Police Academy, this training only serves as the commencement of a long and developing journey. This journey serves as the basis for the socialization of police officers.

In addition to the process of police socialization, a distinct type of personality is revealed. Throughout the passage of time, police officers learn to develop what is referred to as a working personality (Berg, 1999). This name was created as the best representation of characteristics that fall within the working personality.

Skolnick believes that the potential dangers from police work (both real and perceived) lead officers to grow uneasy with civilians, making these officers more suspicious of people in general. Being hyper-suspicious, these officers tended to isolate themselves from private citizens. Instead, … officers were described as seeking the social support of other officers (Berg, 1999, p. 323).

These traits are acquired and developed by police officers through their regular work day; therefore, such traits are not viewed as intrinsic traits developed through childhood, but as traits learned after the socialization process. Indeed, two major factors influencing the development of new traits are danger and authority (Berg, 1999). Such factors increase officer’s preconceived thoughts about the goodness of civilians. Once more, this behavior results in the constant stress and increased isolation from society. Due to the duration of this process, it is less likely for behavioral characteristics exemplified through the socialization process to be analyzed individually. Since social behavior and emotions connect, dissecting such process is more likely to be conducted as the police officer progresses in the varying stages between the academy and the three year probation.

Law enforcers develop new sociological behaviors to accommodate the demands and responsibilities of their profession. Due to the isolation from regular community, officers cultivate resources to assist each other in living with the factors that are in their job scope. These resources are found amongst each other through moral and social support. By actively engaging in group supports, officers establish a sense of confidence and unity amongst each other. As a result, the gap created by social isolation in the process of socialization is somewhat lessened. In addition to adapting to the perceived battle of police against civilian culture, new officers must also learn to acclimate with fellow officers in the department, especially with those who have been in the profession for many years. This process entails adapting to pre-established customs and work preferences from older colleagues. Such pre-established subliminal regulations might prevent officers entering the workforce from performing to their maximum capabilities in fear of seeming somewhat overpowering or insubordinate. Often times, new officers have a preconceived notion implemented by ideals learned in theory; however, a cultural shock awaits them upon entering the practical aspects of their job. This might lead to a process of disappointment and confusion while adjusting to the reality of an everyday exposure to crime, hostile behavior, brutality, threats, emotional and physical stress. Although applicants pass a rigorous pre-screening process to become police officers, not everyone that has been selected as a candidate remains in the work-force. Conversely, this experience of socialization reveals a deeper passion for civilian life as a spouse and/or parent.

Socialization in Reverse

The journey of a police officer is a roller-coaster from its commencement to its completion. This exhausting and stressful journey is filled with the fight or flight response, in which case results in a fight response, due to the nature of the job. This often occurs when the dispatcher places immediate rush due to crimes involving weapons, such as guns. Once the police officer has emotionally reacted to this event, often times the dispatcher will inform officers the scene is already been covered and that such rush is no longer needed (Cole, 1975). Although this is a process of acclamation and socialization into daily police occupation; eventually, the body begins to adapt to this new lifestyle. As some people remain in the occupation, these individuals are presented with yet a new challenge upon completing their career and retiring.

Some of the lifestyle changes officers encounter upon retiring from police labor affects their social behaviors. For instance, many officers are challenged with feeling self-fulfilled and self-sufficient (Raub, 1987). Feelings such as loneliness and boredom occupy the individual’s mental state. This lack of self-efficacy and self-realization leads to negative social behaviors, such as the use of alcohol to occupy time.

Druss (1965) viewed early retirement as a crisis point (transition) in the life of individuals; such retirement may lead to intrapsychic conflicts in police officers. According to Druss, conflicts resolve around the fear of loss of (1) power and authority . . . (2) a familiar way of life, and (3) security . . .(Paton, 2009, p. 204).

The conflicts Druss states create a mental struggle for the former police officer. Consequently, feelings of incompatibility, extreme drive and motivation might lead to an individual detached from civilian life and civic engagement. The loss of authority and power can be viewed as a loss of purpose and job security.

Conclusion

The sociological characteristics that distinguishes civilians from their new role as a law enforcer leads to drastic sociological changes. This paper described this process as socialization. As a result of the negative effects and concerns currently presented, police officers are more likely to experience a detachment from social groups and the community. These negative social outcomes derive from the new mentality acquired through the acclamation process, such as that from a civilian to an officer. Such social behavior is more likely to lead to long term problems, such as oppressed emotions.

This paper also presented how police officers are viewed by the general public. A vicious cycle is created when officers utilize violence with innocent people due to their learned notion that everyone is dangerous. The current study was based on the principle that the personality traits acquired by police officers were only developed through the socialization process and not during phases of childhood.

Annotated Bibliography

Berg, B. L. (1999). Acquiring a police personality. In Policing in modern society (pp. 323-324). Boston, MA: Butterworth Heinemann.

The author emphasizes the socialization of civilians to police officers. The chapter presents an unknown viewpoint to the exact timing such process occurs. The author presents reasons that explain why personality changes occur. For instance, viewing civilians as dangerous and harmful people leads to an increase in isolation from officers to society. This in turn, affects the social institute of the family.

Chan, Janet B. L. (1997). Changing police culture: policing in a multicultural society. Cambridge, MA: Cambridge University Press.

Chan describes police culture in Australia. This chapter is an example of how police culture is not just of concern int he United States. Officers around the world experience the process of socialization. An example of how police power and authority can easily become out of control is presented in this chapter.

Cole, G. F. (1975). The American system of criminal justice. North Scituate, Mass.: Duxbury Press.

Cole described the extreme range of responsibilities performed by police officers. Examples of several scenarios are that of assisting the homeless to intervening in domestic violence. On a typical day, these situations might arise during a time of boredom and lapse of minimal dispatcher calls. The author describes how sudden emergencies affect the stress level of the officer.

Dempsey, J. S., & Forst, L. S. (2008). Police culture, personality, and police stress. An introduction to policing (4th ed., p. 157). Belmont, CA: Thomson/Wadsworth.

This chapter describes situations police officers are presented with during their line of duty. Specifically, it focuses on the Dirty Harry problems. Additionally, is elaborates on social factors that interfere with an officer's sociological and psychological well-being. Finally, it presents solutions to reduce stress levels while creating a life balance.

Gaines, L. K., & Miller, R. L. (2012). Criminal justice in action. St. Louis, MO: Broadman & Holman Publish.

Gaines and Miller addresses new characteristics police officers eventually develop. Examples of some traits include cynicism and distrust. Consequently, officers lose faith in society as a whole. As a result, officers risk not protecting the rights and lives of the innocent. The consequences expressed are an increase in crime and lost faith in justice.

Holmes, Malcolm D., & Brad W. Smith. (2008). Race and police brutality: Roots of an urban dilemma. Albany, NY: State University of New York Press.

The authors describe a stimulus that produces fear. Such stimuli can be real or imagined. Stimuli produced by the imagination occurs when officers hears a sound and associates it with danger. For instance, a call regarding a drug fight might ignite a stimulus fear by imagining/assuming the people involved in the illegal behavior are African Americans. The author describes the racial implications of such preconceived notions.

Loftus, B. (2012). Replaying the classics. Police culture in a changing world (pp. 6-7). Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.

Loftus presented studies on police culture performed in the United States and Great Britain. The author covered cognitive and behavioral responses to social factors. For instance, adapting to the use of violence as part of police daily routine. Finally, the author suggested observing cultural methods used by institutions that were presenting positive results.

Kitaeff, Jack. (2011). Handbook of police psychology. New York, NY: Routledge.

Kitaeff exposes the differences between personality characteristics between a profession in law enforcement and other industries. For instance, the demands of being in a constant state of stress and alertness throughout a long time period is a trait usually found in rigorous professions. Factors such as predisposition and mistrust in society increase. A sense of authoritarianism develops and is easily maintained. Finally, the author reviews such behaviors since the 1970's until 2011.

Paton, D. (2009). Traumatic stress in police officers: A career-length assessment from recruitment to retirement. Springfield, Ill.: Charles C. Thomas.

The negative consequences affecting the social life of the retired police is revealed in this chapter. Negative emotions, such as the loss of purpose affect the individual. Consequently, the former officer detaches from society and becomes isolated. This seclusion leads to negative social behavior, as drinking.

Raub, R. A.. (1987). Police officer retirement the beginning of a long life. Springfield, Ill.: Illinois State Police, Division of Administration.

Paton presents the journey of a police officer. In his description, he discusses the phases of the emotional spectrum police officers encounter. Additionally, he covers the shock of retirement and the implications of a career end. Some of the social factors include post trauma and stress. Such negative social results lead to a life of isolation.