Police Psychology

Psicologia de Polícia

Course code:67128

Lúcia G. Pais

Learning outcomes of the curricular unit:

• Provide knowledge about the relationship between psychology and the police activity, situating the Police in the disciplinary diagram, and discussing the origins of the Police Psychology, its different contexts of intervention and application, and the problems faced by police professionals.
• Characterize the role of the psychologist considering the different police contexts in which they may be called to act, their requirements, potential and boundaries.
• Contribute to the construction, by students, of a critical attitude, scientifically supported and based on the reality of professional life, thus demystifying the role of psychology in police organizations.

Syllabus:

1. Psychology and the police organization
   1.1. The Police in the disciplinary diagram
   1.2 Power, authority, security: Brief history of police organization
   1.3 History of Police Psychology
2. The psychologist in the police organizations
   2.1 Selection
   2.2 Training
   2.3 Assessment of fitness for duty
   2.4. Psychological intervention in critical incidents and stress management
   2.5 Effects of police work on police officers: Risk factors and protective factors for psychological and physical health
3. The psychologist in the criminal investigation
   3.1. The technique of criminal profiling
   3.2 The investigative psychology
4. Current themes in police psychology (e.g. technologies, new marginalities)

Suggested Bibliography:

• Collins, P. (2019). Psychological debriefing: Are we doing more harm than good? Retrieved from https://www.blueline.ca/psychological-debriefing-are-we-doing-more-harm-than-good-6321/
• Daniel, A. M., & Treece, K. S. (2021). Law enforcement pathways to mental health: Secondary traumatic stress, social support, and social pressure. Journal of Police and Criminal Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11896-021-09476-5
• Dockstader, J. (2019). Policing through the pain: How trauma impacts police officers. International Public Safety Association.
• Rufo, R. A. (Ed.) (2016). Police suicide: Is police culture killing our cops? CRC Press.
• Violanti, J. M. (2014). Dying for the job: Police work exposure and health. Charles C. Thomas Publisher.