Sample Of Law Enforcement Officers Research Articles

A Pilot Study of a Trauma Resiliency Protocol for Law Enforcement Officers with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Symptoms.

To test the efficacy of the 22ZERO Trauma Resiliency Protocol (TR-P) on PTSD symptom severity among current and former law enforcement officers. Uses a retrospective, pre/post intervention design to test the effects of the TR-P on measures of self-reported symptom severity. 128 current and former law enforcement officers were exposed to the TR-P treatment. All participants were administered the PCL-5 PTSD Checklist and other psychological assessments before and after exposure. Participants experienced a significant reduction in symptom severity, suggesting that exposure to the TR-P reduced the effects of PTSD in this sample of law enforcement officers. The 22ZERO Trauma Resiliency Protocol may be an efficacious mechanism for reducing PTSD symptom severity among current and former law enforcement officers. It should be tested using a randomized trial and a longer follow-up period.

Binge drinking, job stressors, and resilience in a nationally representative sample of law enforcement officers

Law enforcement officers experience high rates of stress associated with their work, potentially leading to alcohol use as a means of coping. Using data from a nationally representative survey of law enforcement officers in the U.S., we found that adjusted odds of binge drinking monthly or more frequently increased significantly with higher levels of administrative stress and each additional type of critical incident reported. Increased officer resilience had a significant association with decreased adjusted odds of binge drinking monthly or more frequently. Strategies for reducing stressors and building resiliency are important for reducing binge drinking and improving wellness among officers.

Gender Differences in Law Enforcement Officer Stress and Coping Strategies

Law enforcement officers, like many professionals, are not immune to the effect of stress on their overall health. In fact, law enforcement officers may be particularly vulnerable to these effects due to unique and sometimes traumatic stressors inherent in their work. Further, male and female officers may experience the stressors of the law enforcement profession, and the coping strategies used in response to stress, differently. Using survey data collected from a sample of law enforcement officers in a large urban police agency in the southeastern United States, this research examines the differences between male and female officers in terms of perception of stressors in policing and coping strategies used in response to stress. The findings indicate that female officers have significantly higher mean stress scores on several items (particularly those regarding safety factors) and are significantly more likely to use positive coping strategies compared to male officers.

Examining the relationship between control-balance and cynicism using a sample of law enforcement officers

ABSTRACT This study seeks to extend control-balance theory by establishing a causal connection between control-balance and cynicism, using a sample of law enforcement officers. Data collected from a large, metropolitan police agency indicates that control-balance, which is the control exerted by an individual compared to the control experienced by the individual, has a highly significant relationship with control-balance. Officers with a control deficit, who experience more control than they exert, espouse more cynical attitudes toward organizational functions of the police department. This research is necessary since police are the first point of contact between the general public and the criminal justice system, and their attitude and actions can impact public perceptions of police legitimacy, as well as fairness and equity within the criminal justice system.

Association between health-related fitness, perceived stress, and metabolic syndrome prevalence in a sample of law enforcement officers

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine the association between components of metabolic syndrome with health-related fitness (HRF) and perceived stress in a sample of law enforcement officers.Design/methodology/approachLaw enforcement officers (N = 28) from the Mountain West region of the US reported their HRF scores (1.5 mile run, push-up, and sit-ups), had their blood drawn (glucose, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL)) and had their waist circumference and blood pressure measured in a fasted state. Officers also completed a short questionnaire to assess health-enhancing physical activity (SQUASH) and both the Organizational and Operational Police Stress Questionnaires (PSQ-Org, PSQ-Op).FindingsLinear regression models revealed a positive linear relationship between glucose levels and 1.5 mile run times (beta = 0.560, p = 0.021, R2 = 0.24). A bivariate positive linear relationship between waist circumference and 1.5 mile run times was found to be significant (R2 = 0.17, p = 0.041). For every minute increase in 1.5-mile run times, PSQ-Org scores significantly increased by 0.543 standard deviations (p = 0.022) with 25% of the variance explained (R2 = 0.25). There were no statistically significant parameter estimates from the logistic regression equations when dependent variables were treated on the categorical measurement scale using recommended cut-points.Research limitations/implicationsIn conclusion, those who performed better on the 1.5 mile run were more likely to have lower fasting glucose levels, experience less stress and have a smaller waist circumference.Practical implicationsTherefore, according to these findings, it is imperative for those in law enforcement to improve their cardiorespiratory endurance to minimize stress and reduce their risk of metabolic syndrome.Originality/valueThis research is novel according to a recent PubMed search using the keywords “law enforcement,” “Metabolic Syndrome” and “fitness testing.”

Relative Impact of Mindfulness, Self-Compassion, and Psychological Flexibility on Alcohol Use and Burnout Among Law Enforcement Officers.

Objectives: In the present study, we investigated the relative impact of improvements in mindfulness, self-compassion, and psychological flexibility in predicting decreased burnout and alcohol use in a sample of law enforcement officers (LEOs) participating in a mindfulness-based intervention (MBI). Design: This study is a secondary analysis of pre/post data collected as part of a larger randomized controlled trial of mindfulness-based resilience training (MBRT). Subjects: This secondary analysis comprises pre/post data from 28 LEOs recruited from a metropolitan area and its outlying regions in the Pacific Northwest. Intervention: MBRT is a MBI tailored specifically to the culture and needs of LEOs and other first responders. Outcome measures: All included data were obtained through self-report measures. Mindfulness was assessed by the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire-Short Form, self-compassion was assessed by the Self-Compassion Scale-Short Form, psychological flexibility was assessed by the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II, alcohol use was measured by the PROMIS® (v1.0) Alcohol Use-Short Form, and burnout was assessed by the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory. Results: In the first regression, only increases in mindfulness significantly predicted decreased postintervention problematic alcohol use. In the second regression, only increases in self-compassion significantly predicted decreased postintervention burnout. Conclusions: This study builds upon a growing body of literature on the relative impact of mindfulness, self-compassion, and psychological flexibility in predicting outcomes among high-stress cohorts. Results suggest that different components of MBIs may be emphasized to achieve unique benefits. The Clinical Trial Registration number for the parent study is NCT02521454.

The Role of Moral Injury in PTSD Among Law Enforcement Officers: A Brief Report.

Exposure to critical incidents and hence potentially traumatic events is endemic in law enforcement. The study of law enforcement officers’ experience of moral injury and their exposure to potentially morally injurious incidents, and research on moral injury’s relationship with different forms of traumatization (e.g. compassion fatigue, post-traumatic stress disorder) are in their infancy. The present study aims to build on prior research and explores the role of moral injury in predicting post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and its clusters thereof. To this end, a sample of law enforcement officers (N = 370) from the National Police of Finland was recruited to participate in the current study. Results showed that moral injury significantly predicted PTSD as well as its diagnostic clusters (i.e., avoidance, hyperarousal, re-experiencing). The aforementioned role of moral injury to significantly predict PTSD and its clusters were unequivocal even when compassion fatigue was incorporated into the path model. Clinical, research, and law enforcement practice implications are discussed.

Knowledge Regarding Child Victims of Commercial Sexual Exploitation and the Feasibility of Using a Smartphone Application: A Pilot Study.

This pilot study examined the knowledge level and feasibility of using a smartphone application (app) to identify victims of sexual exploitation. Using a quantitative, pretest-posttest design, a convenience sample of 103 law enforcement officers living in the Western United States was assigned to a control (n = 38) or intervention (n = 65) group. Participants provided demographic data and completed an investigator-developed questionnaire to assess their knowledge of commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC). Questionnaires were completed twice, with the intervention group completing the posttest after being given the opportunity to test-drive a smartphone app designed to identify CSEC victims. Participants in the intervention group were also asked to rate the ease and usefulness of the app and preferred format of resources. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and mixed analysis of variance. Few participants had received training in CSEC. Knowledge increased significantly more for the intervention group compared with the control group (p = 0.009), and similar results were noted with CSEC protocol questions (p = 0.005). Intervention group participants stated the app was easy to use (59%) and useful (63.9%) and preferred the CSEC information in the form of an app versus printed materials (85%). Results of this study suggest an overall low level of CSEC knowledge in our sample of law enforcement officers. However, a smartphone app may be feasible in identifying victims of sexual exploitation. Earlier recognition of CSEC victims promotes earlier referral to interdisciplinary health and human services.

Resting heart rate and risk of violent encounters during arrest in a sample of law enforcement officers

PurposeResearch indicates that a link exists between resting heart rate (RHR) and various forms of antisocial, violent and criminal behavior among community and criminal samples. However, the relationship between RHR and engagement in aggressive/violent encounters among law enforcement has not yet been examined. The purpose of this paper is to examine the link between RHR and engagement in violent encounters using prospective longitudinal data on a sample of law enforcement officers in the USA.Design/methodology/approachNegative binomial regression, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox hazard regressions are conducted using a sample of 544 police officers to determine if there a relationship between RHR and engagement in violent encounters by law enforcement, even when controlling for demographics, biological and social covariates.FindingsResults indicate that higher RHR is associated with an increased risk of officers engaging in a violent altercation, as measured by the number of arrests for suspects resisting arrest with violence, even after controlling for all other relevant factors.Originality/valueThis study was the first to examine police officers RHR levels and its associated with violent altercations during arrest using a rigorous statistical methodology.

Assessing peak aerobic capacity in Dutch law enforcement officers.

To cross-validate the existing peak rate of oxygen consumption (VO2peak) prediction equations in Dutch law enforcement officers and to determine whether these prediction equations can be used to predict VO2peak for groups and in a single individual. A further objective was to report normative absolute and relative VO2peak values of a sample of law enforcement officers in the Netherlands. The peak rate of oxygen consumption (ml×kg-1×min-1) was measured using a maximal incremental bicycle test in 1530 subjects, including 1068 male and 461 female police officers. Validity of the prediction equations for groups was assessed by comparing predicted VO2peak with measured VO2peak using paired t-tests. For individual differences limits of agreement (LoA) were calculated. Equations were considered valid for individuals when the difference between measured and predicted VO2peak did not exceed ±1 metabolic equivalent (MET) in 95% of individuals. None of the equations met the validity criterion of 95% of individuals having ±1 MET difference or less than the measured value. Limits of agreement (LoAs) were large in all predictions. At the individual level, none of the equations were valid predictors of VO2peak (ml×kg-1×min-1). Normative values for Dutch law enforcement officers were presented. Substantial differences between measured and predicted VO2peak (ml×kg-1×min-1) were found. Most tested equations were invalid predictors of VO2peak at group level and all were invalid at individual levels.

Development and initial reliability and validity of four self-report measures used in research on interactions between police officers and individuals with mental illnesses

There currently exists a dearth of reliable and valid instruments to examine key police officer variables of importance in the growing research on their interactions with individuals with mental illnesses. This study tested reliability and validity of four newly designed measures of the constructs of self-efficacy ( Self-Efficacy Scale; SES), referral decisions and de-escalation skills ( Behavioral Outcomes Scale; BOS), attitudes toward psychiatric treatment ( Opinions about Psychiatric Treatment; OPT), and social distance ( Adapted Social Distance Scale; ASDS) in a sample of law enforcement officers. Self-administered, anonymous surveys, which included the measures of interest, were completed by 177 officers—68 of whom were undergoing Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training and 109 of whom were not—at the beginning and end of week-long trainings. Analyses examined the internal consistency reliability, test–retest reliability, and construct validity of the instruments. The four measures of interest were found to be reliable and valid. Specifically, internal consistency coefficients and test–retest reliability correlations were generally acceptable, all four demonstrated sensitivity to change, and validity correlations were significant and in the expected direction. Findings demonstrated the ability to measure key constructs related to attitudes and intended behaviors in law enforcement officers utilizing psychometrically sound instruments. Further testing and the development of additional reliable and valid instruments focused on attitudinal and behavioral domains among officers who have frequent interactions with individuals with mental illnesses would be of great value.

Implementation of Possession Laws and the Social Ecology of Tobacco Control

The objective of this evaluation research was to assess the impact of programs intended to support the enforcement component of a comprehensive youth tobacco control. The research method was a survey of a randomly stratified cluster sample of law enforcement officers. Results of the evaluation showed that the enforcement behaviors of officers were increased through the state programs to support tobacco enforcement activities. The study showed that support for implementing a policy is important to achieve the objectives of a policy. The results of a study of the enforcement component of a Florida tobacco control program are reported and discussed within the ecological context of previously reported enforcement-linked decreases in youth tobacco use and funding and defunding of the Florida Tobacco Control Program.

Vigilante homicides in contemporary Ghana

This article provides a systematic analysis of vigilante homicides that occurred in Ghana, West Africa, during 1990–2000. Through the use of newspaper accounts, the study identified the socio-demographic characteristics of victims, spatial distribution, modus operandi, and the circumstances of death. The data suggested that young urban males suspected or accused of robbery, larceny, and other forms of theft were most often victims of vigilante killings. Mob attacks were spontaneous and the assaults involved the use of weapons available on the scene, such as stones, sticks, clubs, and personal weapons. Factors contributing to the escalation of vigilantism in the society included an under-resourced police force, poor police-civilian relations, burgeoning crime rate, a slow and overburdened judiciary, heightened public fear of crime, and a breakdown in traditional methods of dispute resolution. The article also reports on a survey that targeted the attitudes of a sample of law enforcement officers towards vigilantism in Ghana.

Nonforcible Internet-Related Sex Crimes With Adolescent Victims: Prosecution Issues and Outcomes

Law enforcement officials and the public are said to hold the stereotype that it is difficult to prosecute cases involving nonforcible sex crimes with willing adolescent victims. The authors examine prosecution outcomes in nonforcible Internet-related sex crimes with adolescent victims and extra-familial adult defendants. Data are from a national sample of law enforcement officers and prosecutors (N = 77). Most (91%) of the defendants are convicted, usually via a guilty plea (77%). Results show that even when victim cooperation is lacking or victims willingly engage in sexual activity, defendants are convicted. A small group of defendants are not convicted, and certain conditions appear to contribute to this, including victims' untruthfulness, defendants giving victims illegal drugs or alcohol, and lack of a confession from the defendant. Most defendants, however, are sentenced to incarceration and required to register as sex offenders. The findings show promise for holding defendants accountable for this type of crime.