Research in Brief: Early Warning Signs (Responding to the Problem Police Officer)

Studying the reach of deterrence: Can deterrence theory help explain police misconduct?

“…Several recent studies on police misconduct were particularly relevant for the present study (see Walker, Alpert, & Kenney, 2001 for an overview). In a recent large-scale, cross-national study, Klockars, Ivkovich, Harver, and Haberfield (1997) undertook an organizational/occupational culture approach to the study of police integrity.…”

Early Intervention Program Criteria: Evaluating Officer Use of Force

“…It was quickly recognized that one or two indicators were not adequate, but no consensus exists on the exact number that should be used. Some other indicators that are now monitored include high speed pursuit incidents, preventable damage to vehicles, agency rule violations, involvement in civil litigation, firearm discharges, and resisting arrest incidents (Walker et al, 2001;Alpert & Walker, 2000). In fact, the programs in some departments have evolved into comprehensive performance assessment systems, given the broad range of officer conduct they monitor.…”

“…Notwithstanding this overall lack of uniformity, however, there are some commonly found performance indicators among the myriad early intervention programs; and officer use-of-force reports are among the most frequently included (Walker et al, 2001;Walker & Alpert, 2002). However, even when a common element like force reports are used, there is no standardized method for evaluating the information they capture and the actual data collected on any specific form varies across departments.…”

“…Over a quarter century ago the US Civil Rights Commission called upon the policing profession to establish officer misconduct early warning systems (Walker, Alpert, & Kenny, 2001). These systems, now commonly referred to as early intervention programs, are designed to spot patterns of potentially risky or troublesome officer performance, and to intervene before any type of serious incident occurs and/or action taken against the department, e.g., lawsuit, excessive force complaint, etc.…”

The Demented Patient Who Declines to Be Dialyzed and the Unhappy Armed Police Officer Son

“…Most bullying behavior stems from feeling inferior or insecure (11). The son might benefit from counseling, which may be available through his employer, because many law enforcement agencies have early warning systems to identify officers whose behavior is problematic and intervene before the situation becomes severe (12). The patient's overall status might warrant monthly care plan meetings, which should include participation from the son and discussion of advance care planning (13).…”