BOBBEE BEE: The Psychology of Police Officers & The Rationalization of Misconduct

The Psychology of Police Officers & The Rationalization of Misconduct

1.Denial of Victim

Alleging that because there is no legitimate victim, there is no misconduct.
2. Victim of Circumstance

Behaving improperly because the officer had no other choice, either because of peer pressure or unethical supervision. ...
 
3.Denial of Injury 

  Because nobody was hurt by the officer’s action, no misconduct actually occurred.
 
4.Advantageous Comparisons

 Minimizing or excusing one’s own wrongdoing by comparing it to the more egregious behavior of others.
 
5. Higher Cause 

Breaking the rules because of some higher calling—that is, removing a known felon from the streets.
 
6. Blame the Victim 

The victim invited any suffering or misconduct by breaking the law in the first place.
 
7. Dehumanization 

Using euphemistic language to dehumanize people, thereby making them easier to victimize.
 
8. Diffusion of Responsibility 

Relying on the diffusion of responsibility among the involved parties to excuse misconduct.
-THE HATEFUL EIGHT-Pocket Full of Ghetto Poems: The Making of a Hip-Hop Classic by eric d.graham