Posted: June 14th, 2023
Topic 1: Exploring How Administrative Police Culture, Relational Police
Assignment Details
You will select 1 of the 5 topics for your Discussion Board (DB). Please read the instructions for the DB assignments carefully because they are different from your other classes in which you have had DBs.
Selecting 1 of the 5 topics, you will be required to submit a 300-word minimum main topic posting. Your initial posting should be analytical, persuasive, or reflective in nature. Keep in mind that you will be choosing a different topic for your Individual Project (IP). Please add your references to the main topic posting (required). You are encouraged to do research on the topic from other resources. Each classmate’s response should be a minimum of 100 words per response. Your option is to respond to postings that concern your main topic selection, or you may respond to postings from classmates that have to do with one of the other two topics.
The following topics come from the reading assignments for this week and are all located in the AIU online Library:
Topic 1: Exploring How Administrative Police Culture, Relational Police Culture, Threat to Job Security and Public Stigma Impact Law Enforcement Officers’ Attitudes and Perceptions of Seeking Mental Health Services and Create Barriers
Coyt, H. M. (2020). Exploring how administrative police culture, relational police culture, threat to job security and public stigma impact law enforcement officers’ attitudes and perceptions of seeking mental health services and create barriers. https://aiuniv.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/exploring-how-administrative-police-culture/docview/2478769334/se-2?accountid=144459
Topic 2: Suicide Exposure in Law Enforcement Officers
Cerel, J., Jones, B., Brown, M., Weisenhorn, D. A., & Patel, K. (2019). Suicide exposure in law enforcement officers. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 49(5), 1281–1289. https://doi.org/10.1111/sltb.12516
Topic 3: Investigating Barriers to Mental Health Care in Law Enforcement Officers
Johnson, S. F. (2016). Investigating barriers to mental health care in law enforcement officers [Dissertation, East Tennessee State University]. https://aiuniv.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/investigating-barriers-mental-health-care-law/docview/2021116159/se-2?accountid=144459
Topic 4: Stigmatizing Attitudes Toward Police Officers Seeking Psychological Services
Wheeler, C., Fisher, A., Jamiel, A., Lynn, T. J., & Hill, W. T. (2018). Stigmatizing attitudes toward police officers seeking psychological services. Journal of Police and Criminal Psychology, 36, 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11896-018-9293-x
Topic 5: Improving Police Interventions During Mental Health-Related Encounters: Past, Present and Future
Wood, J. D., & Watson, A. C. (2017). Improving police interventions during mental health-related encounters: Past, present and future. Policing and Society, 27, 289–299. https://doi.org/10.1080/10439463.2016.1219734
Topic 2: Suicide Exposure in Law Enforcement Officers
The job of law enforcement officers is known to be a highly stressful and demanding profession. The nature of the job exposes them to several potential traumatic events that can lead to mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. One of the most concerning issues related to mental health in law enforcement officers is suicide. According to Cerel et al. (2019), law enforcement officers are at a higher risk of suicide compared to the general population due to the nature of their job and the exposure to trauma.
Suicide exposure, or the experience of knowing someone who has died by suicide, can have a significant impact on an individual’s mental health and increase their risk of suicidal ideation and attempts. Cerel et al. (2019) conducted a study to examine the relationship between suicide exposure and suicidal ideation and attempts in law enforcement officers. The study found that law enforcement officers who had experienced suicide exposure had a higher risk of suicidal ideation and attempts compared to those who had not experienced suicide exposure.
The findings of this study highlight the need for increased mental health support and resources for law enforcement officers, particularly those who have experienced suicide exposure. It is essential to address mental health issues in law enforcement officers to reduce the risk of suicide and improve the overall well-being of those in this profession. This can be achieved by promoting mental health awareness, reducing stigma surrounding mental health, and increasing access to mental health resources such as counseling and therapy.
References:
Cerel, J., Jones, B., Brown, M., Weisenhorn, D. A., & Patel, K. (2019). Suicide exposure in law enforcement officers. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 49(5), 1281–1289. https://doi.org/10.1111/sltb.12516