Discussion
Police subculture refers to the values, norms, beliefs and behavior embraced by a majority of members of police officers. These traits identify police officers and make them distinct from other groups of professionals or members of the public. Some of the aspects that prominently characterize the police subculture include group solidarity, secrecy, and to some extent, violence. Just like in other subcultures, police officers need to have a sense of belonging, where members support each other to perform their duties effectively. Therefore, police officers need to share their experiences and offer each other emotional or psychological support. Evidently, one of the advantages of such a police subculture is the support members give each other. Most of the time, police officers operate in difficult conditions; hence the solidarity and support is very vital. Regarding secrecy, it is important on some occasions for police officers to guard important details that revolve around their operations. For example, they could plan to conduct an important operation to either arrest criminals or prevent certain crimes from taking place. If such operations are revealed to outsiders by some of the members, then the operations or their efforts may not come to fruition.
However, the police subculture also has several disadvantages. Some of the members may use excessive force or engage in unlawful activities in the line of duty. For example, there have always been numerous cases of police brutality, shooting of innocent people and other serious crimes. Solidarity and secrecy among members of the police often hinders the perpetrators from facing justice. Failure to face justice usually presents various implications. Firstly, members of the public distrust police officers, and often portray them in bad light. Secondly, the police officers who commit crimes may commit them again out of impunity because after all, they will still be protected by their colleagues.
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Peer Response
Hi Jennifer, you have raised an important concern in regard to the police subculture; the ‘blue curtain’. The ‘blue curtain’ code is meant to shield or cushion police officers who commit offenses from being investigated, and subsequently, facing justice. It is actually disappointing that police officers who cushion others are honored and revered within the police departments. If police officers maintain the secrecy code and even refuse to cooperate with other law enforcement agencies in cases involving their colleagues, then the police departments for a long time will be accused of lacking transparency. It is also possible that some police officers interfere with and alter documents investigating their colleagues. Members of the public may no longer feel safe. For example, if a police officer at a particular station commits offenses to members of the public and his colleagues maintain the ‘blue curtain’, members of the public will always be intimidated whenever they want to report crimes to the station.
Hello Lacey, indeed community policing is important in helping police officers discharge their duties. However, some of the aspects of the police subculture may hinder the cordial relationship between police officers and the public. Many communities especially in the United States hold meetings with police officers to discuss about strategies of maintaining law and order, and how to prevent and report crimes. The secrecy code and solidarity among police officers in the event of negative things done by the officers may jeopardize the whole concept of community policing. Additionally, conflict may always arise between the police and the public. It is particularly dangerous for members of the public to refuse to cooperate and sometimes refuse to report offenders because of distrust. Therefore, it is important for the police subculture to foster transparency and trust to serve the intended purpose.
