Police Psychology | The Noble Cause of Policing

Posted: July 28, 2016 in Public Information Bureau
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Police Psychology | The Noble Cause of Policing

by Mark Foreman, PsyD

“. . . every society gets the kind of criminal it deserves. What is equally true is that every community gets the kind of law enforcement it insists on.”
 ­– Robert Kennedy, 25 September 1963 –

As I sit down to write, the 2016 Democratic National Convention is due to kick off in just a few hours. I recall, though only vaguely, the Democratic National Convention of 1968. That DNC was held amidst a year of violent protests. Protests against the Vietnam War and about civil rights. The year 1968, had also spawned the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy.

Historically, the 1968 DNC has been repeatedly used as a focal point of change in American law enforcement. Police conduct during the protests was scrutinized, criticized, and in some cases condemned. Read the rest of this entry »

Police Psychology | Republicans Show a Bit of Class

Posted: July 26, 2016 in Public Information Bureau
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Police Psychology | Republicans Show a Bit of Class
by Gary S. Aumiller, Ph.D. ABPP

I was going to avoid making any political comment this voting season, but I saw somethings at the Republican National Convention that was just extraordinary and warmed my heart and mind, so I thought I would comment. I am old and wise enough to know that it might just be rhetoric, but I don’t think so.

First, one of the speakers before Ivanka Trump, was Peter Theil, the Paypal, first outsider in Facebook, billionaire who admitted he was gay and talked about being gay and getting rid of the social distractions of culture to handle the country’s problems. I was actually in tears to see him address a convention of conservatives in the US and being cheered. Say what you want about the candidate behind the convention, but that was a class move. For the first time in American history, a man talked about being gay in a convention of people that traditionally never accepted gay men. I am not gay and I can’t imagine what it is like being gay, but I know it is not easy for these Americans, and I am proud to say some of the nicest people I have met are gay, and yes some are police officers and firefighters.  I volunteered for people that had AIDS early in my career, and I was in the theater early on.  That was a part of history I am glad I saw. Read the rest of this entry »

Police Psychology | Flight Lesson: Video Post

Posted: July 22, 2016 in Mastering Resilience
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I am trying something new this Friday with a video post.  Let me know what you think.

 

Police Psychology | Angry!

Posted: July 19, 2016 in Mastering Emotions
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Police Psychology | Anger!

Nancy K Bohl-Penrod PhD, Director of the Counseling Team International

and The Southern California Critical Incident Stress Management Team

I am angry right now.  I am seething and boiling.  I am sure many of you feel the same way.  First there is Dallas and now Louisiana.  Cops getting killed.  I am on fire.  This has got to stop.  I know what the research tells us about anger, “Ninety percent of anger is unjustified”. Well, guess what?  Not today.  These feelings are justified. You do not have to live in Dallas, or Baton Rough to be livid.  What worries me, is the negative impact this intense feeling of rage we may be experiencing can have on all of us.

To all officers, please understand anger is a normal emotion caused by grief, frustration or tragic situations where you feel you, your department or profession has been wronged.  Of course, in both of these horrific situations, we have all been wronged and our family members. There are times that anger and frustration can be useful, as long as it is expressed effectively.  This is going to be difficult, but you have to control your rage, and remain professional.  When anger is expressed correctly, it can protect you from threats to your safety, well-being, happiness, self-esteem and from losing your career. Read the rest of this entry »

Police Psychology | Not-So Fantastic Four

Posted: July 13, 2016 in Police Stress
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Police Psychology | Not-So-Fantastic Four

by Gary S. Aumiller, Ph.D.  ABPP

The Human Torch, the Invisible Woman, the Thing and Mr. Fantastic are Marvel’s creation of four people with super powers who work BURSTRESStogether as a team to stop crime.  Not one of their powers is complete, but together they are unstoppable.  In fact in each adventure, at least one of them is in jeopardy, but gets saved by the other.  They are effective as a team and that is why we like them so much. 

“Stress” also is a team and is a powerful team that works together for one overall effect.  It’s just not such a good team.  You see, stress is cumulative, and one stress builds on top of the other.   Individually, they might not be so effective, but together they can put you on the floor.

I would like to propose that when it comes to police psychology, we look at law enforcement as having four sources that contribute to police stress:  institutional, lifestyle, traumatic, and operational.  I call them the Not-So-Fantastic Four —  The superheroes of making stress!
 Read the rest of this entry »

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