Criminal Professionalism

Module 06/Module6 Content2.html

Module 6 Lecture Notes

The Silent Epidemic: Stress •    Policing linked to high rates of depression, PTSD, substance abuse, sleeplessness, diabetes, sudden cardiac death •    Suicide

Nature and Types •    Eustress: Positive stress •    Distress: Negative stress

•    Traumatic stress •    Chronic stress

Sources of Stress •    Organizational and administrative practices •    The criminal justice system •    The public

Employee Assistance and Health and Wellness Programs •    Elements of comprehensive wellness program: Physical fitness, Stress management, Psychological/mental health, Nutrition/dietary-related behaviors, Alcohol/chemical dependency •    An employee assistance program should be available to help officers cope with alcohol and substance abuse, psychological problems, family management problems

What Cities are Doing: Three Case Studies •    Fort Worth: Alcohol Awareness •    Las Vegas; Substance Abuse and Suicide Prevention •    Sacramento Police: Focus on Health and Wellness

Labor Relations: Officers’ Rights, Unionization, and Collective Bargaining •    Provisions of Peace Officer Bill of Rights •    History of unionization •    Majority of officers today belong to some form of association •    Three models of collective bargaining: Binding arbitration, Meet and confer, Bargaining not required  •    Methods of impasse resolution: Mediation, Fact-finding, Arbitration

The Contract         •    Major provisions of a contract •    Grievances handled by a formal grievance procedure spelled out within the collective-bargaining agreement •    Types of job actions: Vote of confidence, Work slowdown, Work speedup, Work stoppage •    Fair Labor Standards Act

Higher Education Lagging Behind •    Policing lags behind society in terms of emphasis on educational attainment •    A relatively small proportion of police officers have or are required to have a college degree

Why Higher Education for Police? •    Numerous studies, courts, and national commissions have concluded that higher education is essential for police officers •    From 1967 to 1986, every national commission on crime concluded that college education could help officers do their jobs better •    The Supreme Court has upheld higher education requirements for police •    Empirical evidence suggests college-educated officers are better officers

On Guard: The Private Police Extent, Nature, and Types •    Since 9/11, the United States has become highly security minded •    Today there are more private security officers than police officers and detectives •    Two main types: proprietary (in-house) services and contract services

Authority and Functions •    Duties similar to those of public police •    Overall powers entirely different •    Key concern is whether private police should be armed

Public–Private Police Relations •    Relationship between public and private police is improving •    Private Security Officer Employment Authorization Act