Police Subculture Modern Police Work

Police Subculture

Modern police work is tricky business, states Officer Friendly (name protected for anonymity). I interviewed Officer Friendly one day about the subculture of police work. He hesitated, and it took several rounds of coffee and donuts before Officer Friendly would open up. The subculture of policing is complex, he stated. Especially given the increasing diversity of the police force, officers are struggling to find ways of relating to other and preventing corruption. Many officers perceive the subculture as the "good ol' boys," Friendly stated. This means that there is a generally patriarchal system in place, whereby women have very little respect or status in the community. That is changing, states Officer Friendly, especially as greater number of female Officers are being promoted to positions of power in the force. When more women are in positions of power, they are able to transform the organizational culture and its subcultures. This is happening slowly, but surely, Officer Friendly stated.

When asked about corruption, Officer Friendly stated that it still does happen. He said that some people are very strict in their interpretation of corruption. There is a belief in the "slippery slope" mentality. A cop who takes a small gift might be willing to take a larger one, the saying goes. This makes it difficult for officers even to accept the free donut that was offered to him during our discussion. Larger types of corruption, the kinds that "really matter," stated Officer Friendly, were related to things like officers keeping the drugs from a bust; to accepting bribes to let suspects go; to accepting bribes to offer better patrolling services. Because there is still lingering acceptance for these corrupt practices, the subculture continues to condone a little bad behavior, Officer Friendly admitted. There is great pressure to remain silent and not "rat out" or "snitch" on fellow officers. One learns the ins and outs of the police subculture fairly soon after joining the force.

Communication between individuals on the force varies considerably. There is a strict hierarchy in the force, as most people are aware of, claims Officer Friendly. Thus, a person does not speak to their superiors the same way as to coworkers or subordinates. It is important to maintain this hierarchy because it helps the officers have a chain of command that includes respect for authority. Without authority, there would be too much dissention when making critical decisions. Decisions in the force are life/death decisions, notes the officer. There is no room or time for democratic discussions. Officers need a clear chain of command so that decisions are swift and authoritative. To carry out the functions of modern police work, all cops must work together and be on the same page. There is a great degree of collaboration, in spite of the hierarchy. "Officers need to work together, we're in this together," Officer Friendly stated.