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Police Organizational Culture
Competency Posttest 1
2-3 page paper, in APA format, answering the following:
- How do the police tend to engage as they identify and enforce morality?
- Explain what factors influence organizational culture.
- Explain how the police culture/subculture can have both positive and negative connotations, with examples of each, and the implications of such.
- Do you think the police decide what moral behavior is appropriate?
Plagiarism and turnitin required
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Police Organizational Culture
Police and the Enforcement of Morality
Police officers serve as enforcers of the law and, in doing so, often act as arbiters of public morality. While their primary responsibility is to uphold the legal code, many laws reflect moral standards, such as those involving drug use, prostitution, or domestic violence. As police identify and enforce these laws, their role can extend into interpreting societal values. In practice, this means officers may exercise discretion based on community standards, department priorities, and personal beliefs. This discretionary power can influence how laws are applied in different communities, sometimes reinforcing dominant moral narratives (Westmarland, 2005).
Influences on Organizational Culture
Organizational culture in policing is shaped by various factors, including leadership, history, training methods, societal expectations, and internal communication. Leadership plays a critical role—command staff set expectations and influence officer behavior through policy and modeling. Additionally, the tradition and legacy of a police department affect how values are passed down to new recruits. Training academies instill formal rules and informal norms, often emphasizing loyalty, hierarchy, and resilience. External factors, such as community engagement and political pressures, also mold organizational culture, particularly in times of reform or crisis (Paoline, 2003).
Positive and Negative Aspects of Police Culture/Subculture
The police subculture can be both a source of strength and a point of concern. On the positive side, it fosters camaraderie, trust, and …