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Northern Essex Community College

Module 4 Writing Assignment

Review the assignment overview, learning objectives, directions, and submission expectations before submitting your work.

Overview

In this assignment, you will examine several influential perspectives on police working personalities and the police subculture. Scholars have long argued that the unique demands of police work shape how officers view the public, exercise discretion, interact with coworkers, and respond to difficult situations. Understanding these perspectives is essential for evaluating police behavior, organizational culture, and contemporary reform efforts.

You will compare the working personality models developed by William Westley, James Q. Wilson, and Peter K. Manning and William Muir. You will then evaluate whether training can reduce the negative aspects of police subculture while preserving the positive characteristics necessary for effective policing.

Student Learning Objectives

(These objectives support the assignment and are not the questions to be answered.)

  • LO1: Analyze theories explaining police subculture and police working personalities. (SLO5)
  • LO2: Evaluate how training, supervision, and organizational culture can influence officer behavior and discretionary decision-making. (SLO5)
Assignment Topic

Police officers develop attitudes, beliefs, and behavioral patterns that are often described as the police working personality. Several scholars have attempted to explain how police culture develops and how it influences officer behavior.

For this assignment, compare and contrast the policing personalities and theories developed by Broderick, Wilson, and Muir.

Your paper should address the following questions:

  • Who were Broderick, Wilson, and Muir, and what contributions did they make to the study of policing?
  • How does each scholar describe police officer behavior, discretion, and decision-making?
  • What are the similarities among the three models?
  • What are the major differences among the three models?
  • Which model do you believe best explains police behavior in contemporary policing? Explain your reasoning.
  • What positive aspects of police subculture help officers perform their duties effectively?
  • What negative aspects of police subculture can create problems for officers, agencies, and communities?
  • Can training be used to combat the negative aspects of police subculture and working personalities? Why or why not?
  • If you believe training can help, identify and explain specific training programs, educational approaches, supervisory practices, or organizational strategies that could reduce undesirable behaviors while maintaining professionalism and officer safety.
  • Support your analysis using course materials, research, examples, and professional observations.
Acceptable and Ethical Use of AI
  • You may use AI tools to help summarize the theories of Broderick, Wilson, and Muir or locate supporting scholarly sources. All information must be verified using course materials and credible sources.
  • If you use AI during the research process, your final submission must reflect your own analysis and conclusions regarding police subculture and officer behavior. Submitting AI-generated work as your own violates course academic integrity policies.
Directions

Please read all instructions carefully before submitting your assignment.

  • Your paper should be 2-3 pages, using APA style, including 12 font and 1-inch margins.
  • A minimum of at least two (2) sources, with proper APA citations in a Reference Page and proper in-text citations.
  • Abstract NOT needed.
  • Organize your paper using an introduction, body, and conclusion.
  • Compare all three policing personality models and provide specific examples where appropriate.
  • Develop a clear argument regarding whether training can effectively address negative aspects of police subculture.
  • Submissions are checked against a Plagiarism Checker and AI Detector.
    • Direct quotes should not exceed 15% of the total paper.
    • AI Usage – you must use AI ethically. Papers written by an AI is cheating.
Submission Guidelines
  • Submit your assignment through the designated submission area.
  • Ensure your file is in Microsoft Word (.docx) or PDF format.
  • Review the grading rubric before submitting your work.
Important Reminder

Important: All work must be your own. Follow course policies regarding academic integrity and the use of outside sources or tools.