Stigma: A Police Officer Heather A. Jones, M.S. Villa Rica Police Department

A police officer What will be explored? whether being a police officer among “normals” could be stigmatizing Why? My own prior LE career and experiences Interest with stressors and consequences resulting from being a police officer To better understand changes in officers as they progress through life and career

The participants A police officer (stigmatized)- due to his profession His wife (normal)- chosen due to her relationship with officer Why? Convenience sample- acquaintances known to me Made access simple: consent & participation

How did I gain cooperation? Why this way? Officer agreed to participate in this study due to my prior LE experience He said he would talk to me because, he knew I would understand him. Why? Familiarity: easier to discuss sensitive information

Data Type & Amount of Data 1 Field Observation= 1 Set of Field Notes 2 Audio Interviews Why this type? Best fit for qualitative exploratory study to discover connections and themes

Data analyzation method? Field notes and Interviews transcribed Transcription is ideal for qualitative analysis Coded with NVIVO software to discover themes and connections among data

Does the officer know he is stigmatized? Why? “We were at the wedding reception and a woman walked up to me whom I did not know. She took the beer out of my hand and said,” you don’t deserve that you fucking cop!” She kept yelling, “you are a cop!” Eventually she was escorted out by security. “Yeah, you really get labeled when you are a cop.”

Knowing he is different now… Knowing he is different now….. Transition from non-police work → police work Officer: “I didn’t realize it at first, but my wife would tell me I had changed with the job… I just don’t like being around people I don’t know and I am not going to put myself in social situations that aren’t comfortable anymore.” Wife: “Before policing he was more outgoing, never met a stranger. He was not so cautious, so overly aware, and maybe a bit paranoid sometimes from my perspective.” “At first, I thought it was cool to be married to a cop, but then I could tell he had changed. He was snappy. He wasn’t his loveable, open self.” Officer: “Yeah, I changed. In the past, I was an outgoing, open, and would just jump right off into a party, but now I sit back and try to figure everybody out…just do what I need to do to blend in. I just don’t trust anyone anymore, not to mention most people just don’t understand cops.”

How does he handle his stigma? …and what is his motivation? Example: previously shopped near home now drives elsewhere in hopes of passing as normal Officer: “I would not throw it out there, that I am a cop, and I always carry a concealed weapon. I just do what I have to do to blend in. At the end of the day you may just be seen as a cop, even after you try to blend in. “His families safety, his safety, and being comfortable in social situations”

How others know about his stigma? Officer: I would tell them what I do, but only if it comes up. I am proud of it. To some of us policing is still an honest and good profession, but some people would disagree. …………Others would only know depending on: type and level of stigma management whether he can be discredited by others present

How and Why does his wife manage the “police” stigma? Symbol: tattoo on shoulder “thin blue line” Wife: “I am proud of him and proud to be with him. There is no way I could do the job that everyone in America hates right now….” “I think he feels negatively labeled and it bothers me when people do not respect law enforcement, especially some ladies at work who would rather my husband not stop by my office in his uniform, because he is a cop.” “My husband doesn’t realize the bad things people say about him being a cop, sometimes I keep it from him.”

Conclusion This officer and his family desire to live their lives free of discrimination, retaliation, and to retain safety for their self and their family among “the normals”….. 900,000 police officers serving in the United States as reported by the National Law Enforcement Officer’s Memorial Fund (2015) TRY to remember………….COPS are people too….

Questions and Contact Information Heather A. Jones, M.S. Villa Rica Police Department jones0859@gmail.com