the field of police psychology by stephanie w. nissen, lmhc, lpc
TRANSCRIPT
The Field of Police
Psychology
The Field of Police
Psychology
by Stephanie W. Nissen, LMHC, LPCby Stephanie W. Nissen, LMHC, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in NCLicensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in FLCertified Criminal Justice Instructor (Psych) in
NC
District EAP Consultant for the United States Postal Service
Greensboro, NC
Police Counselor 1999-2005Miami -Dade Police Department
Miami, FL
NC Limited Private PracticeTherapy Training Consultation
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in NCLicensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in FLCertified Criminal Justice Instructor (Psych) in
NC
District EAP Consultant for the United States Postal Service
Greensboro, NC
Police Counselor 1999-2005Miami -Dade Police Department
Miami, FL
NC Limited Private PracticeTherapy Training Consultation
No donut, Postal or blond jokes please...
No donut, Postal or blond jokes please...
The Field...The Field...Pre-employment
On the Job
Fitness for Duty
Retirement
Pre-employment
On the Job
Fitness for Duty
Retirement
Pre-employment
Pre-employment
Who applies to become a law enforcement officer? Personality types
Who is hired? The purpose of range and test(s)
Why screen them? Scale 4 MMPI
Is there Predictive Value in pre-employment batteries? PPO Boards
Who applies to become a law enforcement officer? Personality types
Who is hired? The purpose of range and test(s)
Why screen them? Scale 4 MMPI
Is there Predictive Value in pre-employment batteries? PPO Boards
On the JobOn the Job Nuances of Police Psychology
- does police work change people... females in 1st response, the imprint of learning, practice makes habit
- the cognitive frame... cautious, proactive, solution focused, 24/7, ordered
- a subgroup of first responders... police vs. fire group cohesiveness combats inherent trust issues Thin Blue Line.................................................................................
Nuances of Police Psychology
- does police work change people... females in 1st response, the imprint of learning, practice makes habit
- the cognitive frame... cautious, proactive, solution focused, 24/7, ordered
- a subgroup of first responders... police vs. fire group cohesiveness combats inherent trust issues Thin Blue Line.................................................................................
Psychological Services On the JobIn House vs. Out House Psychological Services - inclusion vs. exclusion... Va Tech Police Dept. Debriefing vs. therapy -Value Jet 1999, NIJ DOJ findings
From Dual Relationships... to Special Considerations Training Treating People in Consultation Uniform (armed) Debriefing “Honor Guard” and Research “pastoral care” requests
Psychological Services On the JobIn House vs. Out House Psychological Services - inclusion vs. exclusion... Va Tech Police Dept. Debriefing vs. therapy -Value Jet 1999, NIJ DOJ findings
From Dual Relationships... to Special Considerations Training Treating People in Consultation Uniform (armed) Debriefing “Honor Guard” and Research “pastoral care” requests
Psychological Pathology On the JobLaw enforcement professionals make great clients!
Solution focused and oriented toward problem solving They tend to be in “training mode” while in session Timely
Law enforcement professionals suffer the same illnesses as the rest of the population with an increase in prevalence in certain areas:
Anxiety disorders... PTSD, Panic Disorder Substance Abuse Disorders.... alcoholism and prescription drug abuse Marital difficulties
Psychological Pathology On the JobLaw enforcement professionals make great clients!
Solution focused and oriented toward problem solving They tend to be in “training mode” while in session Timely
Law enforcement professionals suffer the same illnesses as the rest of the population with an increase in prevalence in certain areas:
Anxiety disorders... PTSD, Panic Disorder Substance Abuse Disorders.... alcoholism and prescription drug abuse Marital difficulties
RESEARCH FINDINGS AT A GLANCE THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF JUSTICE
(NIJ) FOUND:
(1) Among officer’s with more than 10 years experience, the rate of alcohol abuse is twice that of the general population
(2) Officers reporting high stress (approximately 10% of all officers), were 3 times more likely to report poor health, 3 times more likely to abuse spouses or partners, and 10 times more likely to experience depression than other officers
(3) Officers considered critical incidents (attending a police funeral and being investigated by internal affairs) to be their greatest stressor with job related stressors in second place (split second dcision making on the street and it’s potentially serious consequence)
RESEARCH FINDINGS AT A GLANCE THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF JUSTICE
(NIJ) FOUND:
(1) Among officer’s with more than 10 years experience, the rate of alcohol abuse is twice that of the general population
(2) Officers reporting high stress (approximately 10% of all officers), were 3 times more likely to report poor health, 3 times more likely to abuse spouses or partners, and 10 times more likely to experience depression than other officers
(3) Officers considered critical incidents (attending a police funeral and being investigated by internal affairs) to be their greatest stressor with job related stressors in second place (split second dcision making on the street and it’s potentially serious consequence)
Police SUICIDEPolice SUICIDEThe suicide rate per 100,000 people for:
Law Enforcement Officers: 18 People ages 25-50: 14.6 Total US population: 11.1
Suicide as a problem solving model“Image armor” creates unrealistic self goals/rulesAvailability and comfort with firearms
#1 reason: experience of professional failure (termination, demotion, criminal arrest, feeling useless or powerless in role as police officer)
The suicide rate per 100,000 people for:
Law Enforcement Officers: 18 People ages 25-50: 14.6 Total US population: 11.1
Suicide as a problem solving model“Image armor” creates unrealistic self goals/rulesAvailability and comfort with firearms
#1 reason: experience of professional failure (termination, demotion, criminal arrest, feeling useless or powerless in role as police officer)
Fitness for DutyFitness for DutyIt is contraindicated for a health program to also provide fitness for duty evaluations. It should always be contracted out, or exist in a separate section or bureau
Fitness for duty requests are common, but rarely given
When they are approved, major mental illness is usually the predominating reason SCPT, Bipolar Dx
Fitness for duty exams are usually PASSED, with or without caveats
It is contraindicated for a health program to also provide fitness for duty evaluations. It should always be contracted out, or exist in a separate section or bureau
Fitness for duty requests are common, but rarely given
When they are approved, major mental illness is usually the predominating reason SCPT, Bipolar Dx
Fitness for duty exams are usually PASSED, with or without caveats
RetirementRetirement“Eligible for retirement at midlife, retirement can bring feelings of fear and isolation.”
Inclusion vs. Exclusion... the rule remains: loss of brotherhood
From simplicity to complexity, from mistrust to trust, from alienation to making peace with self and God
Pre-employment personality and psychological health are indicators for successful transition
“Eligible for retirement at midlife, retirement can bring feelings of fear and isolation.”
Inclusion vs. Exclusion... the rule remains: loss of brotherhood
From simplicity to complexity, from mistrust to trust, from alienation to making peace with self and God
Pre-employment personality and psychological health are indicators for successful transition
References
Florida Department of Law Enforcement 2003 Revised.
John Ritter. Suicide Rates Jolt Police Culture. USA Today, February 2007.
Major John Morris. Reintegration The Challenge of the Road home from Warrior to Citizen. 2006.
The National Institute of Justice, Department of Justice. Journal.July 1999.
The National P.O.L.I.C.E. Suicide Foundation, Inc. The Top 18 Reasons Why Police Officers Committee Suicide. 2003.
John M. Violanti. Police Retirement: The Impact of Change. Charles C. Thomas Publisher, 1992.
References
Florida Department of Law Enforcement 2003 Revised.
John Ritter. Suicide Rates Jolt Police Culture. USA Today, February 2007.
Major John Morris. Reintegration The Challenge of the Road home from Warrior to Citizen. 2006.
The National Institute of Justice, Department of Justice. Journal.July 1999.
The National P.O.L.I.C.E. Suicide Foundation, Inc. The Top 18 Reasons Why Police Officers Committee Suicide. 2003.
John M. Violanti. Police Retirement: The Impact of Change. Charles C. Thomas Publisher, 1992.