Loyalty to a Person vs. Loyalty to the Profession: A Police Case

Abstract

There is no doubt that police work is one of the most rewarding yet difficult professions in the criminal justice system. Most people who become law enforcement officers have idealistic goals of serving and protecting the public. However, research shows that many of these dedicated officers have later changed their idealistic attitude into a “realistic” view (i.e., understanding the police profession and accepting the reality, good or bad, that happens in their police career). Some officers have adopted an “instrumental” attitude where they see police work in purely economic terms (i.e., a means of obtaining money). The reasons for this attitudinal transition are varied, including police occupational socialization, police subculture, and the nature of police work that exposes officers to many corrupt opportunities during their day-to-day duties.