Forensics L5

Question 1

5 reasons police engage in unethical behavior

Answer 1

job of policing is itself corrupting, victimless crimes do not attract complaints about police inaction, demands of law and order campaigns and “results-style policing” compromise due process, low risk of being detected and punished, much of police work is unsupervised and discretionary

Question 2

Studies on police ethics

Answer 2

Study 1: recruits and females most serious, typical officers less serious
Study 2: union officers didn’t believe training was practical and rules are written in a convoluted way, senior officers want more training, organizational training and supervision and say there are many temptations but they don’t do it because they don’t want to get caught while junior officers don’t do it because of personal integrity
Study 3: reduce unethical behavior by improving work conditions (pay), improve selection (not true), reward ethical behavior, react less stridently to minor breaches
Study 4: pattern of complaints of police officers have decreased over time and more police officers are turning coworkers in

Question 3

Police discretion

Answer 3

knowing when to enforce the law and when to allow someone latitude
overwhelm CJS vs. discrimination

Question 4

Police discretion is used

Answer 4

Youth crimes (deter from interacting with hardened criminals) - use community referrals, resolution conferences, and arrests
mental illness - use informal resolution, psychiatric facilities, or arrest
domestic violence - use separation, community referral, and arrests
use of force

Question 5

Factors influencing arrest

Answer 5

seriousness, strength of evidence, whether victim supports arrest , victim/offender relationship, suspect resistance, race, gender, neighborhood

Question 6

Sources of police stress

Answer 6

occupational and organizational (paperwork) stressors, frustration with CJS, public stressors (uncooperative witnesses)

Question 7

Physical Consequences of police stress

Answer 7

increased risk of cardiovascular disease and digestive disorders
high blood pressure, ulcers, weight gain, diabetes

Question 8

Psychological Consequences of police stress

Answer 8

drinking and substance abuse, depression, anxiety, suicide, violence, marital problems (findings mixed)

Question 9

Job related Consequences of police stress

Answer 9

poor morale, absenteeism, reduced effectiveness, turnover, early retirement
result of physical and psychological consequences

Question 10

Prevention and management of police stress

Answer 10

physical fitness programs, professional counseling services, family assistance programs, teaching adaptive coping strategies, critical incident briefings