Chapter 5: Post-Shooting Trauma, Fitness Evaluations, and False Confessions
PSTR (Post Shooting Traumatic Response) is similar to PTSD, triggered by traumatic events directly affecting the officer or witnessed by them. Officers may experience emotions and psychological responses after shooting someone, especially if the victim dies. Not all officers experience PSTR. Symptoms (Bartol & Bartol 2004) include perceptual distortions of time, sight, sound; enhanced sense of danger; anger; sleep difficulties; isolation/withdrawal; flashbacks. Officers may feel anger toward the person shot, department, colleagues, or society. Psychologists provide long-term monitored support, sometimes recommending leave of absence or administrative duty. Peer group counseling is increasingly used.
Fitness-for-Duty Evaluation (FFDE)
Fitness-for-Duty Evaluation (FFDE) involves periodic psychological assessments for SWAT, undercover, narcotics, vice, internal affairs, or when suspicious behavior arises. FFDE requires intensive assessment beyond pre-employment screening. Components include psychological screening report, personality/cognitive/ability tests, performance evaluations, excessive force incidents, formal complaints, shootings, medical records, mental status exams, background investigation, testimonials, citizen complaints, internal affairs investigation, brain injury investigation. IACP criteria for FFDE: citizen complaints of excessive force/inappropriate conduct, abrupt negative behavioral changes, irrational conduct/delusions/hallucinations, suicidal statements/behaviors, unexplained fatigue/hyperactivity, dramatic changes in eating/weight/health, hygiene neglect, inappropriate use of substances, memory loss, impatience/impulsiveness, inability to defuse situations, excessive lateness/absenteeism, any factor causing reasonable suspicion of unfitness.
False Confessions
False confession: suspect admits guilt though innocent. Common in law systems, leading to "confession rules." Examples: Lindbergh baby kidnapping (1932), Black Dahlia murder (1947). Reasons: overpowered by questioning, psychologically vulnerable. Kassin (1997) typology: voluntary and coerced. Voluntary: attention seeking/publicity, protection of others (e.g., sibling confesses to protect family member). Coerced false confessions: compelled involuntarily via threats, intimidation, or pressure; police motivated by pressure to solve crime or personal promotion. Coerced-compliant: confess to end interrogation or avoid harsher punishment elsewhere. Coerced-internalized: innocent, tired, confused people internalize guilt and believe they committed the crime. Police interrogation techniques: use of excessive force, threats, sleep deprivation, physical and psychological torture.
Key Concepts and Issues
PSTR Post-shooting trauma; symptoms like flashbacks, anger; support via counseling
FFDE Periodic assessments; components include tests, complaints, investigations
False Confessions Voluntary and coerced types; reasons and techniques
Examples Lindbergh kidnapping, Black Dahlia; Kassin typology
Interrogation Excessive force, threats, torture leading to false admissions
Summary of Important Points
Aspect
Description
PSTR
Trauma after shootings; symptoms, support, peer counseling
FFDE
Assessments for special units; criteria for suspicion
