Political Impact on Morale

“Look, there are certain political realities here you just don’t understand!”

                            - A now (thankfully) retired police administrator

Very early in my career it was made clear to me and other young officers that at some point we would probably find ourselves on the hot seat, facing discipline for something we had done or said that, even if not necessarily wrong or out of policy, brought uncomfortable attention onto the department.  That we might sometimes face undue pressure or punishment for political purposes was explained matter-of-factly and with a chuckle and shrug by older officers, at least one FTO, and even ranking administrators.  Excited to have a job and finally be the police, I was somehow perfectly willing to accept the possibility, agreeing it seemed a reasonable price to pay.

That passed quickly…

With time, age, experience, and a cynical and growing distrust of the motives of the politically inclined – who often seemed more than eager to abandon principle in favor of expediency – I became disillusioned with those in my profession unwilling to stand firm in the face of political or media pressure, or unable to find the words to resist or push back against it.  I came to believe it’s time we push back against, and call out, the political maneuvering that substitutes for integrity among colleagues, bosses, and politicians. 

Now, to be fair, the “big stories” that have made me cynical about those unable or unwilling to “do the right thing” have generally come from outside my own department.  Where I work has been largely scandal free, thankfully, and we have a strong and active union willing to take stands when they are called for.  Still, the quote from above came from the mouth of a high-ranking admin, made to an officer challenging certain decisions made, and seemingly approving of what many of us felt was “kicking fellow officers under the proverbial bus.” 

Let’s be clear:  Most cops don’t really give a damn about the “certain political realities” administrators have to worry about.  Let’s also be clear that most cops actually know when discipline for themselves or their peers is warranted, and keep a mental list of fellow cops of whom they are wary. 

Most cops are about “doing the right thing” and expect the bosses to be about that, as well.  When they sense or know otherwise, discord and disillusionment abound.

We’ve been writing a lot lately about recruiting and retaining the officers of the future, and how to support and strengthen them against the challenges they will face.  Business as usual isn’t going to work anymore, and a notoriously skittish workforce of young adults likely won’t (nor should they) tolerate acquiescence to “certain political realities” that stands in the way of ethical action and political courage.   The emotional impact of public and political criticism on cops can be devastating to both morale and the psyche, manifesting in anger, frustration, and fear.  As departments seek out more empathic and well-rounded officers to fill their ranks, recruiting from wider and more diverse pools of background and ideology (which we have suggested as a good and necessary step in facing recruitment challenges), there is actually greater risk to those officers’ psychological well-being.

The danger to psyche and soul is real and, if not managed, threatens not just the officers feeling embattled but their communities and profession.  Communities suffer when its police withdraw, become predominantly reactive, or even start to practice de-policing.  Individual officers risk greater levels of burnout, anger, and personal depression.  Management of the emotional impact is crucial to maintaining morale and effectiveness. 

In our November 21, 2018 article (“Is Empathy Dangerous for Cops?”) we examined research into how ideologically different types of officers experienced, processed, and reacted to criticism.  Quoting journalist Lee Simmons:

“Conservative cops believe there should be a divide between themselves and the community,” Patil explains. “They’re not looking to start a dialogue. They see their position as one of authority, and that means keeping a certain distance. They expect conflicts and complaints and just discount them. It fits their worldview.

Liberal officers, on the other hand, are more inclined to listen, but what they hear may rattle them. If their efforts to connect with the community are rebuffed, these cops may find themselves without a compass. For them, misaligned expectations can lead to debilitating stress, Patil says. “It creates uncertainty about how to respond in tense situations, to protect themselves and to present an image of legitimacy.

In other words, she says, having an adversarial attitude may help officers cope with public animosity.

The irony is that this antagonistic approach to policing is what causes the animosity in the first place. The result is a self-reinforcing cycle that’s very hard to break.”

-          “Empathetic Cops are Less Happy, Struggle More on the Beat” Lee Simmons, Texan McCombs, June 2018

There have always been more “liberal” cops in the profession – I include myself in that category… I’m a social worker, after all – but the profession itself is traditionally conservative as are the majority of officers.  This is starting to change though, and supervisors and administrators need to start setting aside respect for “certain political realities” in favor of assuming a stance of political courage even when courage might bear a heavy price.  “It’s just the way it is, it’s the way it ALWAYS been” simply won’t cut it anymore.  Recruiting for diversity means pulling from a wider, deeper pool of talent.  Retaining that talent means recognizing change needs to happen at the top, and what has worked in the past may be ready for the scrap heap.