Chapter 4 Ethical Issues for a Police Psychologist

• Pages: 53-72
• Date: 25 July 2011
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/S1479-3660(2011)0000012007
• Published date: 25 July 2011
• Author: Dennis L. Conroy

CHAPTER 4

ETHICAL ISSUES FOR A POLICE

PSYCHOLOGIST

Dennis L. Conroy

ABSTRACT

The role of the psychologist is unique within a law enforcement agency. This

role is often misunderstood by those designing job descriptions and hiring the

psychologist. The psychologist is often called on to serve law enforcement

needs through such techniques as a psychological autopsy, or consultant with

an SWAT Unit and at the same time serve as the pre-employment/fit-for-duty

screening psychologist. One role serves the needs of the department as a fellow

law enforcement practitioner and the other serves the department’s managers

in selection and retention issues. A psychologist can fill many, sometimes

multiple roles within a law enforcement agency. This chapter helps to define

those roles. It will help define each of the many roles the psychologist can fill

and will also identify and examine potential ethical conflicts, including

problems with dual relationships and conflicts of interest within these roles.

The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Psychological

Services Section has defined the term police psychologist and has established

guidelines for police psychologist in a number of areas. ‘‘Police psycholo-

gist’’ is defined as a psychologist who is now, or has ‘‘been engaged in or

responsible for, providing psychological services to law enforcement

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agencies’’ (IACP Psychological Services, n.d., p. 1). Yet the services

provided can be as diverse as there are psychologists to fill that role. The

function, as well as the definition, of a police psychologist means that the

psychologist is familiar with the police culture and the impact of that culture

on individuals in the department as well as members of their families.

This familiarity can be gained in a number of ways. The new psychologist

can work with an experienced police psychologist in a mentorship or trainee

capacity to gain an understanding of police work and the impact of that work

on the individual. It also may be possible to intern with a psychologist or a

psych unit within one of the larger law enforcement agencies. Another way to

gain familiarity with police culture and impact is through association with

police officers and police agencies. For example, the psychologist can ride in

squad cars with a number of different officers, thereby gaining familiarity

with the patrol function and the officers within that unit. Alternatively, a

psychologist can work with police officers as a coworker in a number of

different areas. If the psychologist is beginning to learn about the culture by

being a coworker, it is essential that he has an open mind and truly sees this

experience as an opportunity for learning (Conroy & Bostrom, 2004).

According to the International Association of Chiefs of Police Psycho-

logical Services Section (2008a) the services of a police psychologist are

clustered into four primary domains of practice including: assessment-

related activities, intervention services, operational support, and organiza-

tions/management consultation. Each of these areas encompasses a subset

of services. For example, assessment-related activities may include both fit-

for-duty assessments as well as pre-employment screening for police officers.

These services may be provided by either an internal police psychologist

who is an employee of the agency, or by an external psychologist who serves

as a consultant to the agency, and in both cases the police psychologist can

find himself in various positions. In some situations the psychologist may be

a subordinate (as in being an employee), or he may be a coworker, for

example, when working to solve a case or when collaborating with an

SWAT unit. Each of the domains and positions provides unique challenges

for the police psychologist because of the depth and variety of competences

required (Conroy & Bostrom, 2004).

Before we look at the four domains of service, we will assess each from an

internal perspective, an external perspective, and the multiple role functions

that may be involved. As already indicated, there are many ways

psychologists can interact with police agencies. First of all, when acting as

a consultant, the psychologist is external to the police department and is not

considered an employee. The consultant typically works on a contractual

DENNIS L. CONROY54