Introduction
Police officers face many stressful situations in the course of their work thus causing short or long term change in their mood (Coman, Evans & Stanley 2002). They usually employ their personality and develop several characteristics during the course of their career thus assisting them in coping with stress. Having developed their own culture characterized by similar beliefs, ways of thinking and interaction skills, they look different from the ordinary citizen (Siegel 2009). It becomes a painful learning process for new recruits when they try to apply what they gathered in college. In order to appear as effective in their work, they are forced to learn the cop traditions and acquire the required traits.
Police personality
The police unit is structured like a pyramid in a way that the directors are at the top while junior personnel are at the bottom. The entire police department is considered as a unit and hence has its unique personality referred to as police personality (Vadackumchery 1998). Character describes the fairly dependable patterns of behavior that characterize an individual. Police officers in different departments view their task in a particular way and use specific techniques to achieve the set goals. Personality traits which are desired in new recruits are widely related to openness and companionability. The police individuality is passed from one police generation to newer generations of police offices.
Types of traits
The 21st century is characterized by changes in policing from a perspective of dealing with incidents to a broader community policing approach (Vadackumchery 1998). Two main types of personality traits points of view are attributive to police officers: exclusive traits point of view, socialization and experience point of view (Siegel 2009). The two personality viewpoints give an explanation of the behavior of a law enforcer and how they interact with the society at large.
Unique traits viewpoint
Unique traits can be best defined by the authoritarian and conservative nature which police officers possess. Based on the fact that one is willing to clutch a firearm and make decisions which affect the public makes the person become naturally reliable. This viewpoint suggests that law enforcement attracts certain classes of people for the job who are distinct from the ordinary citizen. They are generally more masculine and are eager to serve others while exuding absolute confidence. It portrays traits such as doubt, racial discrimination, equivocation, allegiance, cynicism and aggression. The unique traits also referred to as predisposition personality traits are not usually encouraged by safety services agencies.
Socialization and experience view point
On the other hand, work-related personality, also referred to as socialization and experience point of view, suggest that most of their individuality traits are acquired in the course of their police work. Working for a longer period while socializing and interacting with others enables a law enforcer to develop persona which are necessary in coping with challenges in work. The nature of work ultimately changes the normal behavior of an officer.
Sensibility of the socialization and experience point of view
The socialization and experience point of view makes much greater sense than the viewpoint of unique traits (Vadackumchery 1998). It provides superior influence on the performance and reactions to the vicinity than preexisting differences in the individuality of a law enforcer. Socialization is a steady process through which police officers learn principles, viewpoint and signs through conscription, selection and the teaching they receive to develop their potential and learn patterns of the organization’s culture. Social interactions with others, especially more senior officers creates a notable change in the performance of law enforcers. It eventually results in a change in individuality that typified an individual. The life of a recruit revolves around sensing danger, learning to exert power and to preserve secrecy to any police-related information. Few officers can avoid the effects of these traits hence it is more sensible to conclude that this is the most sensible viewpoint. While some police officers are naturally crafted for their work, some depend on the traditional traits which are acquired in the process of socialization. Recent research shows that officers with a longer working experience behave s differently from new police officers (Coman, Evans & Stanley 2002). The consciousness an officer develops while climbing up the ranks usually overpowers the value consciousness which is observed in training. A police officer hence starts to address his trainers with their names (Vadackumchery 1998). This lack of respect for trainers is due to the experience they get while working. Through socialization, new officers are affected by this behavior.
Conclusion
It is sometimes argued that both the unique and socialization traits combine to describe the individuality of a police officer. We are human because of some of the unique traits we all posses, differentiating us from other animals and nonliving things. Throughout all stages of a police career, traits like skepticism have always been evident (Siegel 2009). The working personality of police officers is usually induced through the constant danger that they become exposed to and the need to use authority to reduce the threat of dangerous situations. Job stress, exhaustion, and dishonesty are some of the daily issues which affect law enforcers. The values inculcated in the officers have been observed to remain constant over the years stressing the point that education has singularly little effect on their original personality.
References
Banks, C. (2004). Criminal justice ethics: theory and practice. London: SAGE publications.
Coman, G., Evans B, Stanley R. (2002). The Police Personality: Type A Behavior and Trait Anxiety. Science direct. Web.
Siegel, L. (2009). Introduction to criminal justice. (12th edn) New York: Cengage learning.
Vadackumchery, J. (1998). Policing the largest democracy: 50 years and after. New Delhi: APH publishing.