The Social Psychology of Cops' Values

This chapter critically examines the formation and persistence of police values through a criminological lens, integrating psychological and sociological frameworks. Drawing on Antonio Damasio’s somatic marker hypothesis, the authors argue that emotional conditioning—encoded in a “somatic net”—guides officers’ moral and rational decision-making, often preconsciously. These emotional predispositions, formed early in life, influence perceptions of threat and criminality, contributing to biased discretionary practices. The chapter also revisits Milton Rokeach’s value theory, distinguishing between terminal values (e.g., equality, family security) and instrumental values (e.g., obedience, responsibility), and applies matched groups methodology to assess the origins of police value systems. Findings from longitudinal and comparative studies suggest that occupational socialization has minimal impact on officers’ values, which are instead imported from broader societal subgroups. This challenges reformist hypotheses that increasing diversity or education within police ranks will significantly alter value orientations. The chapter emphasizes the role of emulation—rather than formal training—in shaping ethical behavior, highlighting the importance of leadership modeling in cultivating organizational integrity. Representativeness remains a methodological concern, yet consistent findings across studies underscore the stability of police values over time. The analysis contributes to criminological discourse by linking emotional cognition, value systems, and institutional behavior, offering a nuanced understanding of how the noble cause can both inspire altruism and justify discriminatory practices. Implications for policy and reform are discussed, advocating for strategic recruitment, ethics education, and leadership accountability as pathways to incremental change.