Journal of Police and Criminal Psychology 

About: Journal of Police and Criminal Psychology is an academic journal published by Springer Science+Business Media. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Legal psychology & Law enforcement. It has an ISSN identifier of 0882-0783. Over the lifetime, 870 publications have been published receiving 8359 citations. The journal is also known as: J Police Crim Psych.

Trauma Resilience Training for Police: Psychophysiological and Performance Effects

Abstract: The objective of this study is to test the effects of police trauma resilience training on stress and performance during a critical incident police work simulation Rookie police officers (N = 18) participated in a randomized trial of a 10-week imagery and skills training program versus training as usual Twelve months later, psychophysiological stress and police work performance were assessed during a live critical incident simulation Training resulted in significantly less negative mood, less heart rate reactivity, a larger increase in antithrombin, and better police performance compared to controls Trends for cortisol and self-reported stress also suggested benefits of training This novel training program is a promising paradigm for improving police well-being, stress resiliency, and optimizing job performance

Secondary Traumatic Stress and Burnout among Law Enforcement Investigators Exposed to Disturbing Media Images

Abstract: This study examines the psychological impact of viewing disturbing media on investigators engaged in computer forensics work. Twenty-eight federal law enforcement personnel who investigate Internet child pornography cases completed measures of secondary traumatic stress disorder (STSD) and burnout. Substantial percentages of investigators reported poor psychological well-being. Greater exposure to disturbing media was related to higher levels of STSD and cynicism. STSD and burnout scores were related to increased protectiveness of family, reliance on co-workers, general distrust, and turnover intentions. On a positive note, investigators scored high in professional efficacy, indicating they feel their work makes a difference. Furthermore, personnel with supportive relationships scored lower on both STSD and burnout.

The effects of maternal incarceration on adolescent children

Abstract: This study examined aspects of the school, community, and home adjustment of 58 adolescents between the ages of 13 and 20 whose mothers were incarcerated. High rates of school drop-out (36%) were observed. Dropping out was related to their mother's educational attainment. These adolescents were more than four times as likely to be out of school than a sample of their best friends; four times more likely to be suspended; three times more likely to be significantly absent from school and nearly four times as likely to be failing classes. More than half of these children required school visits for disciplinary reasons during the previous 12 months, and more than a quarter of them had been arrested. School problems and delinquent behavior might be related to the extent of maternal drug use. Although these adolescents initially experienced difficulty adapting to structured placements, those who were living in homes with rules and with family members had better educational outcomes, as did children who communicated frequently with their mothers.

Examining Rapport in Investigative Interviews with Suspects: Does its Building and Maintenance Work?

Abstract: Rapport is an important part of the interviewing of suspects, enabling them to supply information more freely. This study examined 142 actual interviews with suspects, focussing on key tasks that aid rapport. Using an established framework to examine rapport building skills in the early stages of interviews, the study also measured how skilled attempts at sustaining rapport were when interviewers attempted to gather information from suspects and probe accounts for their reliability. It was found that opportunities were often missed to build rapport in the initial stages as several tasks were overlooked. Also, where any rapport had been initially built, it was not always maintained as tasks undertaken later in the interview which may well have assisted rapport maintenance were often conducted unsatisfactorily. Thus, initial rapport building of itself, therefore, is not sufficient in influencing overall interview quality and outcomes, since rapport also has to be maintained throughout the interview.

Youth, police legitimacy and informal contact.

Abstract: This paper explores the under-researched topic of young people’s attitudes towards police in two studies using structural equation modelling. The first study examines the influence of police legitimacy on the willingness of young people to assist police. The second study examines the impact of informal contact with police during a community policing project on young people’s willingness to assist police. Findings show that young people who view police as legitimate are more willing to assist police. Participation in the community policing project had a significant and positive influence on young people’s willingness to assist police independent of young people’s attitudes about police legitimacy.