Self-Control and Police Misconduct

Relationship between self-control and police misconduct

This research about police misconduct and its relationship to self-control hypothesized that low-levels of discipline among police officers are associated with involvement in misconduct over those with high-levels of discipline. The study supports the theoretical arguments of self-control theory and provides empirical evidence that low-levels of self-discipline are related with higher rates of police misconduct. The study showed that officers with lower self-discipline were probable to use excessive force, involve in robbery and lie compared to officers with higher self-control. Officers with low-levels of self-discipline were two times more probable to use excessive force, five times more probable to engage in theft, also four times more probable to lie than officers with higher levels of good conduct. (Donner et al., 2016).

Also, the study shows that the affiliation amongst good conduct and police misbehaviour was moderated by the job, which is related to stress. Police officers with low-levels of self-discipline who experienced high-levels of job-related stress were likelier to engage in misconduct than officers with low levels of self-control who experienced low levels of job-related stress. The study suggested jobs related to stress may result in adverse effects of low self-control. Moreover, the study showed a relationship between demographic variables and the misconduct of police officers. The findings showed that younger forces who had fewer age period of skills and were male were to be more likely to associate themselves with misconduct.

The findings of the study had significant implications for police training and management. The study suggests that screening for self-control during the hiring process may be an effective way to reduce rates of police misconduct. Moreover, training programs that focus on stress management and coping skills may help reduce the adverse effects of job-related stress on police behaviour. The study also showed the reputation of understanding the part of self-discipline in police conduct. Sometimes police are placed in stressful and high-pressure situations, which can aggravate the effects of low self-control on their behaviours. Also, the study found that method to police responsibility and improvement suggests that consent decrees can effectively promote police accountability and reform. (Putra et al., 2017)

In the study, “Gottfredson and Hirschi’s General Theory of Crime” is a “criminological theory” that argues that illegal behaviour is the primarily a result of low self-discipline. According to the study in that theory, people who lack self-discipline are more probable to involve in impetuous and short-sighted behaviours, plus criminal activity. The study also provides valuable frameworks for understanding the underlying causes of criminal behaviour, including police misconduct. This theory shows that low self-control is established in early childhood life by ineffective child-rearing practices and remains relatively stable throughout the individual lifetime. This theory studied that a lack of persistence, daring behaviour, being self centred, and a favourite for simple tasks over complex ones characterizes low self-control. The study, self-discipline theory argues that self-control is crucial to an individual’s propensity to engage in criminal behaviour. According to the theory, individuals with low self-control are more likely to engage in criminal activities. In contrast, those with high self-control are less likely to engage in criminal activities. (Burt et al., 2021)

Moreover, police misconduct is a complex issue related to the “General Theory of Crime and self-control theories”. Police officers who engage in misconduct, such as excessive use of force or discriminatory practices, may lack self-control or have low levels of self-regulation, which can lead to impulsive and unethical behaviour. Also, the study uses consent decrees as an approach to police accountability and reform. Consent decrees are agreements between police departments and the Department of Justice that require departments to implement specific reforms and changes to address patterns of misconduct. (Alpert et al., 2017). These consent decrees are relevant examples of self-control theory, and general theory can be used to address misconduct among police officers. The police department must implement specific reforms such as training on self-control, self-regulation and consent decrees that can address the underlying causes of police misconduct.

Effectiveness of consent degrees

In the United States, police misconduct is a significant issue that has been a source of concern for decades. In response to this misconduct, the Department of Justice has been given powers to intervene when accusations were made that constitutional regulation is not followed due to patterns and practices. The justice department can initiate a civil investigation and pursue a consent decree. This consent decree is a court-approved agreement between the department of justice and a police department outlining the steps to address and prevent police misconduct. The consent decree is a binding agreement that the court can enforce. Consent decrees are an effective tool for addressing police misconduct because they provide a comprehensive reform plan that is tailored to the specific needs of the police department. (Rich, V. 1986).

The study showed that Section 14141 of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 gives the department of justice the authority to investigate and pursue legal action against police departments that engage in patterns and practices of unconstitutional policing. This provision allows the department of justice to intervene when there are systemic issues with a police department that are not being addressed through other means. Also, the study showed that Under Section 14141, the justice department could initiate a civil investigation to determine whether there is a pattern or practice of unconstitutional policing within a police department. If the justice department finds evidence of a pattern or practice, it can negotiate a consent decree with the police department to address the issues. If the police department refuses to comply with the consent decree, the justice department can pursue legal action to enforce the agreement. (Broderick et al., 1994)

The study shows that consent decrees can be an effective tool for police reform. They studied 15 police departments subject to consent decrees between 1994 and 2016. The study showed that the consent decrees were related to reduced excessive use of force, complaints against police officers, and officer-involved shootings. The study also found that the consent decrees improved training, supervision, and accountability within police departments. Similarly, Section 14141 has effectively addressed systemic issues within police departments. The justice department has used this provision to pursue legal action against several police departments, including the Los Angeles Police Department, the New Orleans Police Department, and the Ferguson Police Department. In each case, the justice department negotiated a consent decree that addressed the underlying issues and led to improvements in police practices. (Palmiotto et al., 1994)

The key benefit of consent decrees is that they provide an opportunity for the community to be involved in the reform process. The justice department must engage with community members and organizations to gather input and feedback on the proposed reforms. This ensures that the reforms are informed by the community’s needs and concerns, which helps to shape conviction between the department police and the community. Also, consent decrees provide a framework for accountability. The agreement outlines specific actions the police department must take to address and prevent police misconduct. The agreement also includes benchmarks and implementation deadlines, allowing the court to monitor progress and ensure that the police department is meeting its obligations under the consent decree.

References

Alpert, G. P., McLean, K., & Wolfe, S. (2017). Consent decrees: An approach to police accountability and reform. Police Quarterly, 20(3), 239-249.

Burt, Callie. “Self-Control and Crime: Beyond Gottfredson & Hirschi’s Theory.” CrimRxiv, vol. 3, no. 1, 8 July 2021

Donner, C. M., Fridell, L. A., & Jennings, W. G. (2016). The Relationship Between Self-Control and Police Misconduct. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 43(7), 841–862.

Putra, A. P., Rini, Rr. A. P., & Saragih, S. (2017). The Relationship between Self Control and Job Stress with Police Aggressiveness. Psikologia : Jurnal Psikologi, 2(2), 93–104.

Broderick, Vincent L. “Flexible Sentencing and the Violent Crime Control Act of 1994.” Federal Sentencing Reporter, vol. 7, no. 3, Nov. 1994, pp. 128–132,

Palmiotto, Michael J. “The 1994 Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act: An Evaluation.” The Justice Professional, vol. 10, no. 4, June 1998, pp. 407–414,

Rich, V. (1986). Degrees by consent. Nature, 321(6066), 105–105.