Appreciating Police Officers

For 20 years I have been a police psychologist in Southern California. I counsel officers involved in critical incidents including shootings, and I psychologically screen applicants for police officer positions. I worked for many years within the Los Angeles Police Department and I now consult to over 50 law enforcement agencies. I have participated in countless training programs ranging from the handling of PCP suspects to seminars on child abuse. I believe my experience provides me with a unique opportunity to understand the feelings and motivation of police officers, as well as a growing awareness of a changing nature of crime in Southern California. We are experiencing a rapid increase in the amount of crime, drugs and guns on our streets. While on a ride-along recently in South-Central Los Angeles, I heard a gang member tell a police officer that he and his gang had access to more weapons and faster back-up than the police officer. The police officer shrugged his shoulders and told me he thought it was true.

Over the past year, numerous officers have told me confidentially that they are inclined to drive in the opposite direction when they see criminal activity. They are afraid of being perceived as making a mistake, they are afraid of lawsuits and they are afraid for their safety. They feel completely demoralized and unappreciated. The overwhelming majority of police officers are intelligent, caring, hard-working individuals who begin their careers as idealists with a lot of energy and a hope that they can make a difference.

As a community we need to let these officers know what we want them to do, what we expect of them and how we will support them in their effort to keep us safe. As a community we cannot afford to discourage bright, caring individuals from pursuing a law enforcement career.

SUSAN SAXE-CLIFFORD

Licensed Psychologist, Encino