The State of American Policing
Psychology, Behavior, Problems, and Solutions
Published on 9. November 2018
Book
Hardback
232 pages
978-1-4408-6006-5 (ISBN)
Description
Written by a veteran police officer turned college professor, this modern-day study of American policing covers hot-button issues including police use of deadly force against and bias toward minorities.
Grounded in research of historical and current events, this text examines police practices and the psychological impact that those practices have on minority communities. Author David J. Thomas, a retired police officer and associate professor of criminal justice, looks at and beyond historical perspectives to address many of today's most controversial issues central to minority communities.
Topics covered include the repeated failure to convict officers for fatally shooting unarmed subjects, the rise of heated debates between the Black Lives Matter and Blue Lives Matter movements, the militarization of police agencies, and police response to protests by NFL players. The text also offers insight into the psychology of race, police culture, implicit bias, and the decision to use deadly force. Thomas additionally examines possible solutions to these problems. College students, researchers, academics, and readers interested in politics will find this work informative and thought-provoking.
Grounded in research of historical and current events, this text examines police practices and the psychological impact that those practices have on minority communities. Author David J. Thomas, a retired police officer and associate professor of criminal justice, looks at and beyond historical perspectives to address many of today's most controversial issues central to minority communities.
Topics covered include the repeated failure to convict officers for fatally shooting unarmed subjects, the rise of heated debates between the Black Lives Matter and Blue Lives Matter movements, the militarization of police agencies, and police response to protests by NFL players. The text also offers insight into the psychology of race, police culture, implicit bias, and the decision to use deadly force. Thomas additionally examines possible solutions to these problems. College students, researchers, academics, and readers interested in politics will find this work informative and thought-provoking.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Target group
College/higher education
Dimensions
Height: 240 mm
Width: 161 mm
Thickness: 17 mm
Weight
517 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4408-6006-5 (9781440860065)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
11/2018
1st Edition
Praeger Publishers Inc
€47.99
Available for download
E-Book
11/2018
1st Edition
Praeger Publishers Inc
€47.99
Available for download
Persons
David J. Thomas, PhD, LMHC, is a professor in forensic studies at Florida Gulf Coast University. A veteran police officer, he is also Senior Research Fellow with the Police Foundation in Washington, DC.
Content
Series Foreword
Foreword by Jim Bueermann
1 History and Oppressive Police Practices against Minorities
Purpose of Police in the United States
Modern American Police Scandals
Psychology of Policing
Psychology of Oppression
Victims and Tools of Oppression
Policy and Law
2 Police Culture, Misconduct, and Consent Decrees
Psychology of Police Culture
Psychology of Police Misconduct and Brutality
The Internal Affairs Process
Consent Decrees
Community Policing-A Failed Attempt at Change
Conclusion
3 The Psychology of Bias and Racism in Policing
Psychology of Implicit Bias
Threat Assessment by Police-Does It Foster Implicit Bias?
The Origins of Implicit Bias
Psychological Testing and Bias
Agency Policies and Affirmative Action
Blacks and Women in Policing
Conclusion
4 Police Decision-Making-Law, Policy, and Psychology
The Law and Police Decision-Making
Defining the Force Continuum/Decision Matrix
Why Does an Officer Use Force?
Factors Influencing Use of Force
Use of Force-Physiological and Psychological Responses
Violence Models in Response to Stimuli
Conclusion
5 Deadly Force Decision-Making-Law, Policy, and Training
The Law and Deadly Force
Three Categories of Police Shootings
I Was in Fear for My Life
Police Privilege
Black Hysteria
Black and Police = Anti-American
Conclusion
6 Psychological Mind-Set and Militarization of American Police
Traditional Policing
Changing Times: From Officer Friendly to a Warrior
Psychology of Survival
Presidential Order 13688-Law Enforcement Acquires Military Equipment
Conclusion
7 Twenty-First-Century Policing, Crime Control, or Quality Assurance
Twenty-First-Century Policing Task Force
Professionalism through Accreditation
Quality Assurance in Policing
The Psychology of Survival and Disconnect
Conclusion
8 The Future and Recommendations for Change
Resistance to Change
Psychology of Cultural Change
Social Work Mentality
Building Blocks for Success-Trust and Communication
Not a Police Problem Alone
Conclusion
9 Closing Commentary: Stop Shouting, Start Listening
Appendix: Chief's Letter to Agency Officers Regarding Surveys
Index
About the Author
Foreword by Jim Bueermann
1 History and Oppressive Police Practices against Minorities
Purpose of Police in the United States
Modern American Police Scandals
Psychology of Policing
Psychology of Oppression
Victims and Tools of Oppression
Policy and Law
2 Police Culture, Misconduct, and Consent Decrees
Psychology of Police Culture
Psychology of Police Misconduct and Brutality
The Internal Affairs Process
Consent Decrees
Community Policing-A Failed Attempt at Change
Conclusion
3 The Psychology of Bias and Racism in Policing
Psychology of Implicit Bias
Threat Assessment by Police-Does It Foster Implicit Bias?
The Origins of Implicit Bias
Psychological Testing and Bias
Agency Policies and Affirmative Action
Blacks and Women in Policing
Conclusion
4 Police Decision-Making-Law, Policy, and Psychology
The Law and Police Decision-Making
Defining the Force Continuum/Decision Matrix
Why Does an Officer Use Force?
Factors Influencing Use of Force
Use of Force-Physiological and Psychological Responses
Violence Models in Response to Stimuli
Conclusion
5 Deadly Force Decision-Making-Law, Policy, and Training
The Law and Deadly Force
Three Categories of Police Shootings
I Was in Fear for My Life
Police Privilege
Black Hysteria
Black and Police = Anti-American
Conclusion
6 Psychological Mind-Set and Militarization of American Police
Traditional Policing
Changing Times: From Officer Friendly to a Warrior
Psychology of Survival
Presidential Order 13688-Law Enforcement Acquires Military Equipment
Conclusion
7 Twenty-First-Century Policing, Crime Control, or Quality Assurance
Twenty-First-Century Policing Task Force
Professionalism through Accreditation
Quality Assurance in Policing
The Psychology of Survival and Disconnect
Conclusion
8 The Future and Recommendations for Change
Resistance to Change
Psychology of Cultural Change
Social Work Mentality
Building Blocks for Success-Trust and Communication
Not a Police Problem Alone
Conclusion
9 Closing Commentary: Stop Shouting, Start Listening
Appendix: Chief's Letter to Agency Officers Regarding Surveys
Index
About the Author