World War II, Militarism, and Police Culture Quiz

Flawed Premises of Kraska's Research on SWAT Teams

• Kraska and Paulsen conducted a study on a police department with 391 sworn officers in a city of 250,000 people in the early to middle 1990s.
• From 1982 to 1995, the SWAT team had 208 call-outs, with a shift from reactive to proactive policing due to the crack epidemic.
• The change in the unit's functioning was a direct result of the crack epidemic, with the department's chief stating that the "dopers started barricading and arming themselves extensively."
• Kraska and Paulsen see the shift from reactive to proactive policing as alarming, citing concerns about the blurring of military and police functions.
• They find it alarming that 45% of U.S. SWAT teams in cities with populations of 50,000 or more have received training from military Special Forces personnel and that many SWAT team officers have a military background.
• Kraska and Paulsen also find it disturbing that most SWAT teams resemble military units in their dress and appearance, citing concerns about creating a "warrior mentality" to instill fear in others.
• The chief county executive, who was black, commented on the inhibiting effect of race on the behavior of a white officer.
• In 2014, Eric Garner died after a choke hold was used on him during an arrest, leading to tensions between the police and New York City mayor, Bill de Blasio.
• In December 2014, two police officers were executed by a gunman in New York City, leading the head of the police union to accuse the mayor of having "blood on his hands."
• The police union official concluded that "when police officers become victims, suddenly everyone loves a cop."
• The premises of Kraska's work are criticized for having vague definitions and ideological bias, and his research is seen as an attack on the police.
• Kraska's complaint about the movement of the state toward reverting to the use of military power signals its eroding ability to ensure order and compliance is disputed, with no proof offered for the claim that SWAT officers enjoy taking on military roles.

The Role of Fear and Subculture in Police Behavior

• Kraska and Paulsen (1997) discuss the fear instilled in citizens by SWAT teams, which reduces the chances of injuries to officers or civilians.
• Skolnick and Fyfe (1993) call this the "paradox of coercive power" where a nasty reputation deters actual violence.
• Police subculture is shaped by a universal fear of violence and the unpleasant nature of routine police work.
• Routine police work involves physical and grueling tasks, leading to low status and tarnishing the officers' standing.
• Officers find pleasure in the dangers of SWAT work, deriving a "rush" and feeling in control, according to Kraska and Paulsen (1997).
• Police subculture is characterized by a mission to protect the weak, a game of wits against "the bad guys," cynicism, and an addiction to adrenaline.
• Day-to-day police work is predominantly routine, involving mundane tasks and dealing with the same individuals repeatedly.
• Officers refer to routine calls as "UBS calls," indicating the routine and unpleasant nature of their work.
• Officers have to work in various challenging conditions, including rotating shifts and exposure to harsh weather.
• Promotion to administrative positions or joining a SWAT team are seen as ways to escape the unpleasant aspects of routine police work.
• The fear instilled in citizens by the appearance of force from officers is seen as a deterrent to actual violence and conflict.
• The paradox of coercive power, where a tough reputation reduces the need for actual violence, is a significant aspect of police behavior.

Test your knowledge on the historical context of opposition to militarism, hypermasculinity, and police culture. Explore the complexities of these topics in relation to World War II and modern contexts.