Common Sense Ch. 10- The Police Leader as a Counselor

Question 1

(Blank) is one way in which the supervisor works to ease the extra burdens placed on his people by the strains of work demands or personal crises. By sharing the benefits of his life experience, training, and fact-based opinions, the leader helps his employees attempt their own solution to a vexing problem.

Answer 1

Employee counseling

Question 2

By sharing the benefits of his life experience, training, and fact-based opinions, the leader helps his employees (blank) to a vexing problem.

Answer 2

attempt their own solution

Question 3

Before the supervisor can help his people through counseling, he must first:

Answer 3

recognize the existence of a developing problem.

Question 4

Identifying Personal Problems: There are a number of things that can cause unique problems for the police employee. These include: (8)

Answer 4

1. Family problems caused by bizarre work hours and odd days off
2. Less than outstanding working conditions
3. Scheduling changes and unanticipated changes in work schedule
4. Changes in laws or court decisions
5. Problems growing directly out of specific, job related incidents
6. Frustrations originating from the internal workings of the police agency
7. Organizational changes in staffing or policy
8. Financial disasters

Question 5

Some of the most readily apparent changes in the troubled employee may be: (8)

Answer 5

1. Actual alterations in physical appearance
2. Personality or mood changes
3. Abuse of sick leave
4. Being the last to arrive and the first to leave work when these habits are not the norm.
5. A devoted employee now taking more time with private business or personal errands.
6. Being avoided by his/her peers
7. Showing up for work with bloodshot eyes, flushed face, and the smell of either alcohol or strong breath purifiers
8. Any gross changes in an employees work performance or attitude.

Question 6

Problem Solving Techniques:

What is the first step towards solving a problem?

Answer 6

detecting the existence of a problem

Question 7

Problem Solving Techniques:

Detecting the existence of a problem is the first step towards resolving it. What should be the next logical step towards a solution?

Answer 7

determining the nature of the problem.

Question 8

Problem Solving Techniques:

Detecting the existence of a problem is the first step towards resolving it. Determining the nature of the problem should be the logical next step towards a solution. The supervisor’s most reliable ally in this effort is a :

Answer 8

direct and forthright approach to the troubled employee.

Question 9

Problem Solving Techniques:

It is possible that the employee will deny, or at least downplay the existence of any difficulties. The supervisor must:

Answer 9

persist without being antagonistic.

Question 10

The (blank) of the apparent problem and the potential for a real disaster from allowing it to persist will determine whether or not the supervisor can permit a waiting period before continuing the discussion.

Answer 10

seriousness

Question 11

The seriousness of the apparent problem and the potential for a real disaster from allowing it to persist will determine whether or not the supervisor can:

Answer 11

permit a waiting period before continuing the discussion.

Question 12

The troubled employee’s peers often know what is going on before the supervisor does. Techniques of proven usefulness for interviewing the distressed employee include: (11)

Answer 12

1. Relative informality can be helpful to a successful counseling effort
2. Pay attention to what the employee is saying
3. Listen intently
4. Maintain eye contact as much as comfortable
5. Avoid facial expressions or body language displaying disbelief, disapproval, or shock.
6. Stick with the issue at hand.
7. Enter the conversation with an open mind.
8. Allow plenty of time for the discussion and offer to make a future appointment for further discussion if time runs short.
9. Keep your discussion private- Do not compare employee’s problems to others.
10. Do not criticize or attack the individual.
11. Bring the counseling session to a logical, hopefully positive, conclusion.

Question 13

Problem Solving Techniques:

Even when the speaker appears done, it is often a good idea to remain silent for a bit in case the employee is searching for thoughts or words and intends to resume speaking shortly. Listening cannot and must not be:

Answer 13

rushed.

Question 14

Problem Solving Techniques:

When a given topic is one that is difficult to discuss, the supervisor should be content if a first meeting just brings:

Answer 14

a mutual agreement that the problem does exist.

Question 15

Problem Solving Techniques:

If the difficulty distracts significantly from the employee’s ability to do his job properly and safely, what will be required?

Answer 15

temporary relief from duty

Question 16

Sources of Assistance:

Regardless of the supervisor’s field of endeavor, any counselor is dependent for ultimate success upon obtaining sources of:

Answer 16

professional assistance to supplement his initial efforts at solving major problems.

Question 17

Sources of Assistance:

The police supervisor must be able to recognize when his own efforts require some professional backup. (Blank) is one such problem mandating skillful, outside help.

Answer 17

alcoholism

Question 18

Sources of Assistance:

When the supervisor/ counselor recognizes that a problem is so deeply seated, so long-standing or so self-destructive as to demand immediate, highly skilled intervention, he undertakes another of his his truly difficult roles:

Answer 18

The job of showing his employee the wisdom of seeking additional aid.

Persuasion, argument, and logic may all be used as tools in convincing the employee to seek help.

Question 19

Sources of Assistance:

When the employee refuses the need for outside aid in a deteriorating marriage, then it may be the supervisor’s job to discreetly intervene in an attempt to salvage a good employee. The supervisor is operating on grounds of suggestion, not orders. Nonetheless, a sincere and well intentioned effort to point an embattled employee in the direction of professional counseling may prove to be:

Answer 19

what is needed to help him or her overcome a personal crisis.

Question 20

Sources of Assistance:

When the employee refuses the need for outside aid in a deteriorating marriage, then it may be the supervisor’s job to:

Answer 20

discreetly intervene in an attempt to salvage a good employee.

Question 21

Sources of Assistance:

The seriously troubled employee, the depress officer, the individual who is seeing things in a way that distorts reality: All of these people may require

Answer 21

a quick referral to professional help.

Question 22

Counselor- Counseled Relationship:

The relationship between counselor and counseled should be one of (blank and blank). Openness and truthfulness are the keys to any successful attempt at solving difficulties, whether personal or professional in nature.

Answer 22

mutual honesty and frankness

Question 23

Counselor- Counseled Relationship:

The relationship between counselor and counseled should be one of mutual honesty and frankness. (Blank and blank) are the keys to any successful attempt at solving difficulties, whether personal or professional in nature.

Answer 23

Openness and truthfulness

Question 24

Counselor- Counseled Relationship:

While the supervisor can never give advance promises of guaranteed confidentiality without knowing what the problem is, once he is satisfied that illegal or improper conduct is not the subject under discussion, he should:

Answer 24

give his promise of confidentiality without reserve.

Question 25

Counselor- Counseled Relationship:

The police supervisor’s cardinal rule in his or her dealings with a subordinate of the opposite sex should be:

Answer 25

equality in all things.

Question 26

Counselor- Counseled Relationship:

The police supervisor’s cardinal rule in his or her dealings with a subordinate of the opposite sex should be equality in all things. If employee problems of a personal nature are to be discussed at a counseling session, it is often a good idea to:

Answer 26

have another supervisor present during the meeting.

Question 27

Summary:

The police supervisor’s role as a counselor and advisor is as delicate as it is vital to:

Answer 27

to the employee, agency, and public.

Question 28

Counseling employees of the opposite gender is a task that merits the supervisor’s:

Answer 28

utmost skills and professionalism as well as sincerity.

Question 29

Sexual harassment refers to any unwelcome sexual attention, sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal, visual, or physical conduct of a sexual nature when: (4)

Answer 29

1. Submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual’s employment; or
2. Submission or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for employment decisions affecting such individual; or
3. Such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work performance; or
4. Such conduct has the purpose or effect of creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment.

Question 30

Sexual Harassment:

While sexual harassment is frequently viewed as something a male commits against a female:

Answer 30

any combination of genders can be part of sexual harassment.

Question 31

Sexual Harassment:

The key reason that the supervisor must not tolerate sexual harassment in the workplace is a humane one:

Answer 31

it is simply wrong and unethical to permit another human being to be treated in such a manner.

Question 32

What is one way supervisors assist employees facing work demands or personal crises?

Answer 32

Through timely intervention.

Question 33

What might prompt a police supervisor to intervene in an employee’s behavior?

Answer 33

Violation of departmental rules or directives.

Question 34

How does the accessibility and reputation of a supervisor affect employee’s seeking help?

Answer 34

It encourages employees to seek guidance.

Question 35

A supervisor with a reputation for caring and sensitivity is likely to:

Answer 35

Have more opportunities to intervene early.

Question 36

Before a supervisor can effectively counsel employees, what must they first do?

Answer 36

Acknowledge the existence of a problem.

Question 37

What can cause uncertainty and distress among police personnel?

Answer 37

Organizational changes in staffing or policy.

Question 38

What might employees worry about when staffing level changes occur?

Answer 38

Being laid off.

Question 39

Why are financial disasters particularly unsettling for employees?

Answer 39

Many employees are just making ends meet.

Question 40

What might personality or mood changes indicate in an employee?

Answer 40

Serious personal issues.

Question 41

What could abuse of sick leave indicate?

Answer 41

Newly developed problems.

Question 42

Why might a previously devoted employee spend more company time on personal errands?

Answer 42

They are getting back at the employer.

Question 43

What might it signify if an employee is suddenly being avoided by peers?

Answer 43

They have become unpleasant company.

Question 44

What are some signs that an employee might have a serious drinking problem?

Answer 44

Bloodshot eyes, flushed face, and smell of alcohol.

Question 45

What is the first step in problem solving?

Answer 45

Detecting the existence of a problem.

Question 46

How should a supervisor approach a troubled employee?

Answer 46

In a thoughtful, calm manner.

Question 47

What should a supervisor do if an employee denies the existence of any difficulties when there are clear difficulties?

Answer 47

Persist without being antagonistic.

Question 48

What determines whether a supervisor can permit a waiting period before continuing the discussion of a problem?

Answer 48

The seriousness of the apparent problem.

Question 49

What should a supervisor do after expressing a sincere desire to help an employee?

Answer 49

Communicate a clear indication of the changes expected.

Question 50

How can a police supervisor gain more insight into an employee’s past difficulties?

Answer 50

By conducting a thorough “research” effort on the employee’s personnel file.

Question 51

What should a supervisor look for as a symptom of work problems?

Answer 51

Changes in physical appearance.

Question 52

What is the primary role of a police supervisor when dealing with an employee with major personal problems?

Answer 52

Seeking professional assistance to supplement their efforts.

Question 53

Why do police supervisors need additional resources outside of policing for solving personal difficulties?

Answer 53

They are not highly trained counselors by profession.

Question 54

What might make it difficult for a supervisor to convince an employee to seek additional aid?

Answer 54

The employee’s disbelief in the problem’s existence.

Question 55

What is a required response when a police officer exhibits extreme irrational behavior?

Answer 55

Relieving the officer from duty immediately.

Question 56

What should a supervisor do if an employee shows significant behavioral changes?

Answer 56

Refer the employee to professional help quickly.

Question 57

How can a police supervisor assist a professional counselor in treating a police employee?

Answer 57

By offering insight into the problem, with the employee’s permission.

Question 58

What is a key component of a successful counselor- counseled relationship?

Answer 58

Honesty and frankness.

Question 59

How should gender differences be treated in the workplace?

Answer 59

With equality in all things.

Question 60

What should a supervisor do to avoid perceptions of sexual misconduct?

Answer 60

Treat all genders equally and avoid special treatment.

Question 61

What might be a beneficial practice during a counseling session with an employee of the opposite sex?

Answer 61

Have another supervisor present in the meeting.

Question 62

What is a key aspect of the mentoring process for a police supervisor?

Answer 62

Preparing the subordinate for a future leadership role.

Question 63

How do mentoring and coaching relate in the context of preparing a subordinate?

Answer 63

They complement each other in developing both skills and attitudes.