Traffic Stops
and Criminal Profiling
Hosted by Captain Chuck Mantkus, NRLO Director of Training

Also refer to "Traffic Stops" by Donnie W. Daniels, Firearms Instructor
 

Personality Disorders
-- What You Might Expect on Traffic Stops --
plus
-- Criminal Profiling --

Written by George H. Bercaw, M.A., ABDA
                                About George H. Bercaw

Back to "Patrol Notes" main page
Street Assessment: Dealing with Emotionaly Disturbed Persons

Personality Disorders
What You Might Expect on "Traffic Stops"
and "Criminal Profiling"

Complete with a "SHORT QUIZ" at the end of the Article

INDEX

Maintain Perspective 

PART I:  INTRODUCTION:  (Understanding what personality disorders are)
a Characteristics of Personality Disorders (PD's)
a Definitions of Personality Disorders:  (Functional Definition)   (Professional Definition)
    (Social Definition)   (Emotional Definition)   (Colloquial Definition)
    (Technical Definition - 11 Characteristics)

PART II: THE MAJOR CLUSTER TYPES
a Cluster A:  "Mature" Type:    Schizoid     Paranoid      Schizotypal
a Cluster B:  "Immature" Type:    Antisocial     Borderline      Histrionic      Narcissistic
a Cluster C:  "Anxious" Type:  Avoidant   Dependent    Obsessive-Compulsive   (Summary of Common Attributes)

PART III:  WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF LAW ENFORCEMENT (Views from the Psycholigist's Couch)  Twenty (20) Distinct kinds of reactions associated with seven (7) basic kinds of people

What Works
What Doesn't Work
Maintaining Perspective

____________________________________________________________________

PART IV:  CRIMINAL PROFILING
a The Psychopathic Personality  /  (Characteristics of a Psychopath)
a Psychotic Personality  /  (Characteristics of the Psychotic)

(A)  Organized Offender     (B) Disorganized Offender

PART V:  PERSONALITY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT (Twelve Desirable Traits for Law Enforcement Candidates) Law and Order Magazine, December, 2002, by Chief of Police Patrick Oliver, Fairborn, OH

SHORT QUIZ 

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PART I:  INTRODUCTION

It is important to understand just what personality disorders are for several reasons:

• They constitute a well-established phenomenon.
• They are increasing in prevalence
• They are frequently mistaken for other mental health problems.
• There is no questions that they produce serious and debilitating behavioral, emotional, and social effects.
• They constitute about 16-20% of the general population and 59-100% of many clinical populations.
• They are observed in all stages of life.
• Many clinicians consider them the most difficult to treat, and outcomes are often quite poor.
• Some clinicians prefer not to treat them since they are largely unaffected by trditional treatment and behavioral management approaches.
• There is a high degree of co-morbidity:
  • martial problems are quite common
  • they are associated with compulsive and addictive disorders 65% of the time
  • they involve either spouse or child abuse 80-90% of the time
  • both suicide and homicide rates with some of them exceeding that of the general population
  • they can produce behaviors that are dangerous to self and others
• With respect to Law Enforcement, personality disorders are encountered not only on traffic stops but everywhere - on the job, at church, at the local grocery store checkout, etc.

In the early 1900's there was considered to be only two categories of mental illness:  "psychotic" disorders and "neurotic" disorders.  "Psychotics" were individuals who experienced hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, etc.  "Neurotics" were simply individuals who had problems coping with life, who characteristically were "anxious," had difficulty making decisions, made bad decisions, were always upset or agitated, or generally just "couldn't cut it where life was concerned." However,

• There were many patients who did not fit the "classic" pattern of symptoms associated with these two categories.
• Some appeared psychotic, but not out of contact with reality.
• Those thought to be neurotic did not improve with treatment.
• There were those who tended to always have some kind of chronic, low-grade distress and who were vague in describing their complaints, produced confusion in the therapist, and were non-compliant with treatment suggestions.  It was as if they were "their own worse enemy."
• Nearly all of them were treatment failures, and they blamed the therapist for their failure in treatment.

Around the 1970's the categories began to change.  Patients with mental illness were now being described by the psychoanalysts as having "character disorders" or "pseudoneurotic disorders" or "personality style."  They were somehow characterized as a cross between a "severe neurotic" and a "mild psychotic;" and many classification schemes emerged which still did not capture the essence of who and what these people were like.

• At about this time, there was a gradual de-emphasis upon "psychoanalytic conceptualizations," and more emphasis was being placed upon "behavioral observations" which lead to identification of specific behavioral patterns that distinguished one personality disorder from another.
• Thus, came about the development of clinical-based criteria for diagnosis which then led to the development of a multi-axial diagnostic approach which provided greater differentiation among the types; that is, persons with these disorders were being seen as much more complex and yet, at the same time, quite different from each other.

The DSM-III (which is the Diagnostic Manual used by psychologists and psychiatrists to "label" a person's disorder) introduced in a new way of conceptualizing the diagnostic task; that is the way in which people can be "described" according to their psychological status.

• Axis I was used to describe the traditional psychiatric disorders such as depession, anxiety, schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, etc.  Basically, these are disorders that exhibit symptoms such as crying, sadness, compulsive behaviors or rituals, hallucinations, delusions, etc.
• Axis II was used to separate the "clinical" disorders (those that evidence symptoms) from the personality disturbances (those that exhibit a certain "style" or attitude towards interpersonal relationships, etc.)
• Axis III identified general medical conditions that impacted on the patient's life; such as debilitating medical disorders that adversely affect one's day to day activities, etc.
• Axis IV described the social and environmental problems of the individual such as divorce, loss of job, death of a family member, etc.
• Axis V provided a Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) that compared the individual's pre-morbid functional level with the present.  That is, it compared how the individual functioned before development of their psychological disorder to current functioning.
• Eleven personality disorders were identified and separated into three groups:
  These three groups are those who were "odd," "dramatic," or "anxious."  They are now placed within three diagnostic (identifiable or recognizable) clusters:

1. Cluster A - "Mature Type" (subtle)
2. Cluster B - "Immature Type" (dramatic/attention-seeking) - Ah, no one would have any difficulty in recognizing these people.  They call attention to themselves.  (Antisocial - Borderline - Histrionic - Narcissistic)  In my thinking, this is the worse type to deal with!
3. Cluster C - "Anxious Type" (controlled) - They too are fairly easy to recognize. [Avoidant - Dependent - Obsessive-Compulsive (not OCD)].

The DSM-III-R (an older version of the diagnostic manual) added the category "Passive-Aggressive" and the DSM-IV (the new version) dropped it!  The DSM-III-R dropped "Inadequate Personality Disorder."

The current DSM-IV lists 10 specific personality disorders and one "NOS" (meaning "not otherwise specified") which is a kind of catch-all category often conceptualized as "Mixed Personality Disorder." The NOS nomenclature is also used when an individual doesn't seem to quite fit one of the ten disorders.

There are many theories as to how a personality disorder develops:

• Psychoanalytic: toilet training, sexual abuse, parental abandonment, thwarted psychosexual development
• Heredity transmission of a specific DNA formation
• A combination of psychological factors and biological predisposition
• Currently: the notion that biological predisposition combines with disruptive early childhood experiences to create the disorder that then becomes "hard-wired" or "imprinted" - "As the twig is bent, so grows the tree."

This now gives rise to a slightly different understanding of "normalcy":

• "Normalcy" is the ability to use different traits (our make-up) for different purposes.
• With PD's certain traits are absent - functioning is only partial.
• With some PD's certain traits are used exclusively - which accounts for many recidivism rates, such as 98% for child molesters!

Back to INDEX 

The characteristics of personality disorders:

• They lack the ability to productively use "insight."
  On a traffic stop, these are the people who insist, "But I just couldn't have run a red light!"  It is as if this kind of behavior is beyond them.
• They do not respond to "traditional" therapeutic techniques.
  These are the people who time and again appear in court with the same violations.
• They often present "vague," general, indistinct, chronic complaints of distress.
  On a traffic stop they act as if they don't understand why they are being stopped.
• They are "noncompliant" and "justify" the same.
  These are the drivers with ready excuses for speeding, running lights, etc.
• They cannot see the role their "own behavior" plays in creating their difficulties.
  "Why aren't you out chasing criminals instead of me?"
• They have difficulty forming "trusting" relationships.
  They are convinced that the Officer was "out to get them" - that they were singled out from the rest of the drivers on the highway.  "I wasn't going any faster than anyone else; why did you stop ME?"
• In treatment, they cannot form an "alliance" with the therapist.
  On traffic stops, they just don't want to cooperate.  They make the stop much more difficult than need be the case.
• They are "unreasonable" and "demanding."
  These are the drivers who want to argue with the Officer.
• They are "resistive" and "avoidant."
  These are the drivers who really tax the Officer's patience and communication skills.
• They "blame" others - don't take personal responsibility for their actions.
  "The only reason I was going so fast was to get away from the jerk who was on my tail!"
• Whenever feelings become strong, they either "shut down" or become highly "escalated".
  These are the uncooperative drivers who refuse to roll down the window; have next to nothing to say (right now, that is!); or who, in a flash, "turn oppositional or violent."
• They creat "upset" and "distress" in others - often seen as "difficult" or "bad" rather than psychologically dysfunctional.
  These drivers call your supervisor or the Chief/Sheriff to complain about you.
• In dealing with everyday demands of life and relationships, it is not an observing ego that responds, but the "problem."
  Remember..... It is NOT about you! ...Or even them.  They are simply acting-out or reacting to the conflicts in their life.  YOU unknowingly placed yourself in harm's way when you stopped them.
• They simply cannot "benchmark" their behaviors.
  They drive with little concern for others.
• It is as if they are "out of contact" with reality.
  Their "head" is somewhere else while their "body" is at the wheel.
• You might think of persons with personality disorders as "cats are dogs without a conscience."
  In the dog's mind, you feed him because "you" are a loving god who looks after his every need.  To the cat, you look after his every need because "he" is a god!  To the dog, you are "family;" to the cat, you are "staff"!

Back to INDEX 

Everyone who encounters the Personality Disorder has their own definition of the person:

Functional Definition:  "An individual whose behavior creates and perpetuates upset, confusion, or conflict for themselves and for those around them."

Professional Definition:  "Any referral preceded by an apology or from someone who has it in for you."

Social Definition:  "A person who consistently drives you and others crazy."

Emotional Definition:  "A person you consistently and desperately want to strangle!"

Colloquial Definition:  "Any person consistently referred to in demeaning terms such as jerk, idiot, dolt, wierdo, moron, creep, cretin, or #$#&$_(*^^*&)!"

Technical Definition:  "A person who has a specific and notable 'pattern' of thinking, feeling, and behaving that has the following eleven characteristics."

1. The pattern is enduring.
2. The pattern is pervasive.
3. The pattern involves an inner experience that influences their perception of the world and how they interpret that experience.
4. The pattern involves external behaviors that are counter-productive.
5. The pattern differs significantly from the expectations of the individual's culture; that is, they break social rules and are "rude," "offensive," or "strange."
6. The pattern involves at least two or more of the following:  thinking, feeling, interpersonal functioning, and/or impulse control.
7. The pattern leads to clinically significant distress or impairment in important areas such as marriage, friendships, family, acquaintances, bosses, co-workers, customers, and in other important areas such as finances, planning, safety, and legality.
8. The pattern cannot be accounted for by another mental disorder such as schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, mania, etc.
9. The pattern is not the direct physiological effects of substances abuse such as drugs, steroids, amphetamines, etc.
10. The pattern is not the result of a medical condition such as head trauma, seizure disorder, dementia, etc.
11. There is, however, a marked difference between individuals who exhibit aspects of the PD and those who are actually impaired by the disorder.  It is largely a question of "style" versus "disorder."

• "Style" involves personality traits which are flexible and adaptive - Freud's notion of ARISE (Adaptive Regression In Service to the Ego) as a positive ego-defense mechanism.  That is, the healthy ego is able to make appropriate adjustments to situations - be "paranoid" when required, etc.  In other words, to use what might otherwise be unhealthy personality traits in a healty, adaptive manner when those traits are beneficial to the individual.
• "Disorder" involves any given personality traits which become disorders when used consistently in a rigid manner and lacks adaptability.

The former (the"style") personality trait is amendable; the latter (the "disorder") is carved in stone.

Back to INDEX

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PART II - THE MAJOR CLUSTER TYPES

CLUSTER A: "MATURE" TYPE

Schizoid

• Least common in the population - less than 1%
• A pervasive pattern of dettachment from social relationships
• A restricted range of expression of emotions with others (e.g.: Philip)
• Typically do not have close relationships
• Prefer solitary activities
• Seemingly cannot take or find pleasure in activities
• Don't have close friends
• Appear indifferent to praise or criticism
• Usually described by others as emotionally cold
• Affect is usually flat, their demeanor bland
• They may even appear "Zombie-lie"
• Interviewing them is an exercise in futility (cf. Philip being interrogated by the Police)
• They are very "forgettable" - they are usually overlooked or excluded by others
• Examples include Computer Nerds, Hermits, Accountants, Embalmers.

Back to INDEX 

Paranoid

• About 1% of the population
• General characteristics include a pervasive distrust of people
• They see others as exploitive, doubt the loyalty of others, have difficulty confiding in people, and are always on the lookout for some hidden meaning in what others do or say
• They hold grudges, are unforgiving, and are easily angered whenever they perceive others as "attacking" them
• They are quick to counter-attack
• Take things personally - they blow things out of proportion and are touchy
• They have a "with me or against me" attitude
• Their favorite verbal response in conversation is, "yes, but"
• Examples include:  J. Edgar Hoover, Richard Nixon, the Wilford Brimley character in "The Firm," IRS Agents and Policemen.

Back to INDEX 

Schizotypal

• About 3% of the population
• Ovbious interpersonal deficits
• Acute discomfort with social relationships
• Little capacity for close relationships
• Noiceably eccentric behaviors - people see them as "odd," having odd beliefs, magical thinking, even bodily illusions, tend to be suspicious of others and their affect is constricted and inappropriate
• They seem to be "always in their own head," are described or experienced as "wierd," "crazy or a genius"
• You just can't seem to peg them
• Examples include artists, tatoo parlor operators, New Age people, Kramer in the TV show "Seinfeld" or Phoebe in "Friends"

 Back to INDEX    

CULSTER B:  "IMMATURE' TYPE

Overall, the personality disorders comprise aout 16-20% of the general population, and about 59-100% of the clinial population.

The more pathological of the three groups are the Cluster B Types: "Immature" Types:  The antisocial, borderline, histrionic, and narcissistic.  These are the ones who pose the most problems and greatest danger on a traffic stop.

Antisocial

• About 3% of the geneal population are men; 1% are women.
• Depending upon the clinical seting, anyhwhere from 3 - 30% of the clinical population.
• They keynote "ingredient" of these people is a pervasive pattern of disregard for, and violation of, the rights of others!
• They do not, cannot, or at least fail to conform to social norms.
• They are constantly in trouble with authorieist of some kind:  school, Police, etc.
• They are deceitful and lying; it is a second nature to them as breathing is to everyone else.
• A major weakness is their impulsivity or failure to plan ahead - although some are ery much the opposite: hence, some criminals will enhibit organized versus disorganized behaviors when committing cries.
• They are irritable and agressive - such as the character in the movie "Sling Blade" who is friendly and one-of-the-boys one minute and in a rage the next.
• Fights and physical assaults of all kinds are a significant part of their history even as children.
• They have a reckless disregard for the safety of others.
• They are incredibly irresponsible; their work attendance and performance is inconsistent and unpredictable, and they don't honor financial obligations: i.e., they never pay child support.
• There is a glaring absence of remorse - which is really a requirement of being human!
• They are either indifferent to, or rationalize, having hurt, mistreated, or stolen from someone: i.e., The Okalahoma bomber and his statement about children being "collateral damage."
• As children, they are typically diagnosed with, and treated for, "Conduct Disorder."
• As is the case with serial murderers, bed-wetting, setting fires, and cruelty to animals is often observed.
• Part of what makes them so dangerous is their ability to be smooth talkers, charming, gregarious, and manipulative (cf. Cleckly's "Mast of Sanity" where the criminal is court-ordered to undergo a psychiatic examination, talks the psychiatrist into having sex with him, steals money from her savings account, is given a discharge from the hospital and not sent back to jail; and weeks later the psychiatrist discovers she is pregnant with his baby!)
• Typically, others around them react by being afraid of them, angered with them, bargaining with them, or simply denying their problems, or avoiding them.
• Examples include then Mafia, "Bikers," Mercenaries, the Kathleen Turner character in the movie "Body Heat."

Back to INDEX 

Borderline

• The second most pathological characer disorder.
• About 2% of the general population, 10% of all outpatients, and 20% of all in-patients.
• Generally assumed to be mroe prevalent among women and often mis-diagnosed as bipolar disorder.
• The males tend to be extremely dangerous - their antisocial behaviors tend to obscure their borderline aspect.
• The females are simple "crazy" - with a capital "K"; that is, "crazy like a fox."
• They defy treatment and cause most psychotherapists to contemplate "homicide-murder!"
• They are the classic example or "less severe than psychotics, but more severe than neurotics."
• There is a pervasive pattern of emotional instability, interpersonal relationships, and self-image.
• The so-called bipolar aspects of their personality are that they can run the entire gamut of emotions in a matter of seconds!
• They are their "opposite" at any given moment:  they over-idealize people one moment and devalue them the next.  They appear as both "angels" and "devils;" and you are never sure which side of them will surface without notice.
• Their core personality is that of an identity disturbance - even they are unsure of themselves, but they are really not interested in finding out - and certainly not in  letting YOU find out - so they keep you off balance at all times.
• Their impulsivity includes spending, sex, substance abuse, shoplifing, reckless driving, binge eating, and any and all other forms of self-indulgence.
• Affective instability is another hallmark of this disorder:  they shift from a base-line mood to depression, irritability, or anxiety; and they rapidly cycle back to base-line, etc.
• They complain of a chronic sense of emptiness which they want others to fill by catering to them.
• Their mental/emotional states are transient and stress-related.
• Severe dissociative symptioms are not uncommon; hense, they may even be misdiagnosed as having "multiple personality" disorder.
• To live with one is like being in a dentist's chair "24-7", or like being on a roller coaster ride that never ends!  They (and you) cycle through normalcy, neuroticism, and psychosis without flinching an eye - except for you, of course, who is becoming increasingly convinced that YOU are to blame for the way that person is!
• They view others as being either "all good" or "all bad."
• Their emotional and cognitive functions "split" - as if the two were not wired together.
• They are demanding, hostile while also dependent, overly intense, vaguely threatening, dramatic, manipulative, full of rage, vicious when angry, thin-skinned to the extreme, cannot tolerate both separation and intimacy, yet seem to crave the same.
• With these people you are "damned if you do and damned if you don't."
• Chronic poor sleep patterns, always changing jobs, never being satisfied with anything, and blaming others who are also hallmarks of this disturbance.
• Their children are almost always anxious and guilt-ridden.
• Examples include:  the Glen Close character in "Fatal Attractions," Actors, Actresses, Court Lawyers, Terrorists, and probably your ex-wife!

Back to INDEX 

Histrionic

• About 2-3% of the general population.
• About 10-15% of the clinical population.
• A pervasive pattern of excessive emotionality and attention-seeking behaviors.
• They have to be the center of attention.
• They tend to be sexually seductive and provocative - constantly pursuing the "chase" and needing new "conquests."
• Their emotions shift rapidly and are typically shallow.
• Physical appearance is important to them as a means of drawing attention to themselves (Cf. The Carley Simon song, "I guess you think this song is about you?")
• Speech tends to be very impressionistic - they use a lot of adjectives in describing things.
• They are dramatic, theatrical, and exaggerated in their expressions.
• They are easily influenced by others or circumstances.
• They usually think of relationships as being more intimate or important than they actually are.
• Others view them as needy, showy, supervicial, seductive, shallow, child-like, or impulsive.
• They tend to bring out sexual aggression in others, but become irritated as all hell when a man hits on them.
• Most people either talk down to them or dismiss them.
• Examples include Mae West, Scarlett O'Hara, the Nathan Lance character in the movie "Bird Cage."  Interior decorators, fashion designers, model and strippers are also often included in this group.

Back to INDEX 

Narcissistic

• Less than 1% of the general population - most likely much higher.
• About 2-16% of a clinical population - most likely much higher also.
• A pattern of pervasive grandiosity in behavior or fantasy.
• A very strong need for admiration, to belong, to be accepted, or to be recognized.
• They lack empathy - it is usually "all about them."
• They exhibit an exaggerated sense of self-importance.
• They anticipate their activities and accomplishments will be superior to that of others.
• They are preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love - they are "in love with love" and make for poor husbands and wives.
• They have this sense of being "special and unique" and simply cannot be understood except by other special and unique people.
• They exhibit a sense of entitlement and expect favorable treatment.
• Interpersonally, they are exploitive and fail to recognize or identify with the feelings or needs of others.
• They are, by same token, very envious of others.
• The hallmark, tell-tale sign is their arrogance!

Back to INDEX 

CLUSTER C:  "ANXIOUS" TYPE

Avoidant

• Maybe 1% of the general population.
• About 10% of the clinical population.
• A pervasive pattern of social inhibition.
• Feelings of inadequacy.
• Hypersensitive to negative criticism.
• They fear - hense avoid - disapproval or rejection.
• They play it safe where relationsihips are concerned unless they know they will be liked.
• With intimate relatiohnships, the fears are of shame or ridicule.
• With new relationships, their fear of bieng inadequate is pervasive largely because of underlying feelings of being socially inept, personally unappealing, and inferior to others.
• With respect to encourageing new activities, their fears are essentially that of being embarassed.
• They are viewed by others as "wallflowers," "daydreamers," "sad, lonely and tense," or as "timid" or maybe even an "air head."
• People either want to take care of them, are irritated with them, or pity them.
• Examples include the Donald Sutherland, character in the movie "Ordinary People," and David Schwimmer's character "Ross" in the TV show "Friends."

Back to INDEX 

Dependent

• About 2.5% of the general population.
• A pervasive and excessive need to be taken care of by others that leads to submissive, clinging behavior, and fear of separation.
• They have difficulty making decisions and are always asking for advice.
• They defer to others - especially responsibility for themselves.
• They have difficulty disagreeing with others for fear of losing support or approval.
• They also have difficulty initiating projects or doing things on their own:  they lack self-confidence in their own judgment - although others may interpret this as lacking motivation.
• They will do almost anything to get nurturing - even if it means volunteering to do things which others find unpleasant or avoid doing.
• They cannot tolerate being alone - they feel helpless.
• Examples include the "Divorced and Desperate" in lovelorn columns in the paper and George in the TV show "Friends."

Back to INDEX 

Obsessive-Compulsive

• About 1% of the general population.
• About 3-10% of the clinical population.
• A pervasive preoccupation with orderliness, perfectionism.
• Have a strong need for mental and interpersonal control - they cannot trust any aspect of their life to another person.
• This need to be in control prevents them from being flexible, open, or efficient in their lives.
• They are the people who like rules, details, lists, order, organization, or schedules.
• Their perfectionism actually interferes with completing a task - it is never "finished" because it is never "just quite right."
• They are never people who do things on a lark.
• They are excessively devoted to work and productivity to the exclusion of everything else.
• These guys do not stop to smell the flowers!
• They are overly conscientious, scrupulous, and inflexible about morals, ethics, and values (Cf. Jane's confessions).
• They hang onto things others would throw away - they are "tight-assed."
• They are reluctant to delegate tasks unless others agree to do it their way (otherwise it won't be done right!)
• They tend to be miserly, rigid and stubborn.
• People joke about them, deride the, become angry with them, or see them as "trying to please others."
• Examples include Monica in the TV show "Friends," the Gregory Peck character in "Moby Dick," IBM, the Pentagon, Accountants, Engineers.

Back to INDEX 

Summary of Common Attributes

Each of the personality disorder have a number of common attributes:

1. Irresponsibility - they cannot acknowledge or accept their part in things going wrong.
2. Lack of Empathy - they cannot resonate to others' feelings, they are driven by their own needs - they give too little reaction or over-react in an ingenuous manner.
3. Deficient Problem-Solving Behaviors - they cannot face or deal with problems in a direct manner and usually skirt important issues.
4. External Locus of Control - they see issues, control, and pwer as being "out there."
5. Generate Upset and Internal Conflict in Others - as Frank Sinatra's wife said when he commented that his blood pressure was not high:  "Frank, you don't havehigh blood pressure... you give it!"
6. Is Activated by Something Being Wrong - thoughts, feelings, events, relationships, and fantasies - they have very limited tolerance for stress or ambiguity!

Back to INDEX

____________________________________________________________

PART III:  WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF LAW ENFORCEMENT

In her book, Police Communication in Traffic Stops, Dr. Angela Woodhull described twentys(20) distinct kinds of reactions that Officers typically encounter during "traffic stops" which she associated with seven (7) basic kinds of people.  Each of the types she identifies can very easily be associated with specific personality traits or types.

Frustrations and Irritations:

• (12)  The motorist becomes hostile and verbally aggressive and abusive.
• (13)  The driver challenges the radar's accuracy.
• (14)  The driver simply will not cooperate and tries the Officer's patience to no end.
• (15)  The driver plays "the race card" or otherwise claims prejudice of some sort.
• (16)  The driver will not remain in the car - or anywhere else that you want him to be.
• (17)  The "Bandwagon Appeal" - "I'm only doing what everyone else is doing."
• (18)  Those who want to argue or debate the traffic laws with the Officer.
• (19)  The ones who always find a way to rationalize why they broke the law.
• (20)  People who simply will not listen to the Officer.
• (21)  The ones who play dumb:  "Did I actually run that light, Officer?"
• (22)  Exhorting:  Telling the Officer how to do his or her job better.
• (23)  Drivers who want to interpret, analyze, or diagnose the Officer's reasons for giving them a ticket.
• (24)  Those who think their status entitles them to do as they please and resort to name-dropping or referring to an authority of some kind.
• (25)  Those who don't have any identification or can't seem to find it - although "It's somewhere."
• (26)  Drivers whose lies are so obvious the Officer almost feels embarrassed for them.
• (27)  The ones who are "in denial."  They live their lives the same way the drive!
• (28)  People who will not, or cannot, accept personal responsibility, but want to "transfer" it somewhere else or upon someone else.
• (29)  Driovers who feign innocence.
• (30)  Drivers who show no remorse at all for their traffic violations.  They, too, live their lives that way.
• (31)  The know-it-alls who want to tell the Officer how to do his job.

Back to INDEX 

(7) Personality Types  and the Traffic Stop: 

• Throwing down the gauntlet - Challenging their "authority."
• Getting into a tug-of-war
• Ignoring what they say - by being silent or unresponsive, you run the rist of appearing intimidated.
• A hostile or irritated tone of voice. 

1. THOSE WHO APPEAL TO A HIGHER AUTHORITY

Woodhull's Type:  Those who "appeal to a higher authority":  

Behavior/Strategy:  Motorists who call upon themselves or others to try to manipulate their way out of a ticket.

Personality Type:  Borderline Disorders, Marcissistic Individuals, Doctors, Other Professionals and Authoritarian Types

Comments:  "Officer, do you know who I am?"  "I go to church with the Chief of Police.  I am going to have your job."  Hey, man, no sweat, I'm a cop just like you." (and they show you their badge)  "You do realize, don't you, that I am a taxpayer ... I pay your salary."  Generally, people who talke down to you.

View from the Psycholigist's Couch:   It has been said that "all perception is really apperception."  This is to say, people seldom see situations - let alone themselves - as they really are. We look at life and ourselves through a "lens" that is colored by our needs, expectations, frustrations, disappointment and failures, successes, and accomplishments.  There are those who go through life with a sense of "entitlement" - believing they are special and entitled to special privileges.  Along the dimensions of Love and Status, they seek status.  Anything that falls outside of this sense of entitlement poses a challenge to their self-image and sense of security which, unfortunately, is tied in to their status in life.  Doctors, attorneys, politicians, and sports figures are examples of this kind of person.

If the Officer tries to play this "status" game, he or she will lose.  It is important that the Officer be one who is psychologically secure within himself/herself, recognize that enforcing the law must be done with all persons equally, and that the principle in Verbal Judo, "Say what you want, but do as I say.... I give you the last word, but I have the last act!" is really the best way of "letting someone else do it your way."

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2.     HOSTILE-AGGRESSIVE: 

Behavior/Strategy:  Bullies who try to shout their way out of a ticket.  Snipers who use sarcastic remarks and subtle put-downs to try to make the Officer feel rediculous about doing his job.

Personality Type:  The belligerant drunk, Antisocial Personality Disorder, Passive-Agressive Disorders (both the passive-aggressive and the active-aggressive types).  The former are verbally abusive; whereas, the latter can quite readily become physically assaultive.

Comments:  "Officer, what is YOUR problem?"  "What the F*** did you stop me for, you F***ing ***hole?"  "What? You haven't filled your quota yet?"  "Just because the stores are out of donuts doesn't mean you have to hassle me!"

View from the Psycholigist's Couch:  Unfortunately, there are a lot of people like this in the world.  They are always on the look-out for an opportunity to exhibit their bravado.  They are bullies.  They control others by threats and intimidation.  This is the "5-Step Hard Stop Type."  There are oly two options with these people:  take their crap, do your job, and move on ... or ... A.C.T. (Arrest, Control, Transport).  In many cases, they are simply blowing off steam.  They have "been there and done that before."  They know what they can get away with.  What makes them potentially dangerous is their inability to control their impulses.  They tend to "snowball" ... Eventually, verbal abuse gives way to physical assault.  They are very insecure people.  They were probably pushed around or abused in their childhood.  They usually are failures, tend to be less educated, have difficulty with abstract reasoning, and are poor problem-solvers.  For them, life is lived in a kind of one-to-one correspondence; that is, if hungry, eat, if you want something, take it, if you're angry, fight.  They are not people who consider options.  If they are able to consider options different from their customary response, they see those options as signs of weakness.  They fear being vulnerable.  The "traffic stop" reminds them that they are indeed vulnerable just like everyone else, and they don't like it.  They live their lives defensively.  Ethical, moral, personal, or reasonable appeals often do not work with these people.  It is as if they "only understand one thing."  They have significant problems with appropriate anger management ... essentially, they lack controls.

You MUST set limits with these people, or they will walk all over you.  A firm attitude, self-confident demeanor, and calm tone of voice are the best ways to keep these people from escalating.  Very often, they have what is called "a point of no return."  This is to say, they "go too far;" and even though they recognize that to "back off or back down" would be tantamount to weakness, they escalate!  The trick is to recognize when they are approaching that "point of no return" and act accordingly.  Their emotions are to their temperament what alcohol is to the drunk:  it's an influence that takes control of the thinking processes and reactions to what is going on around them.  When they lose control, they can't get it back.  A key Law Enforcement principle here is S.A.F.E.R.  tolerance should not be confused with patience.

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3.     EXCUSE-GIVERS:

Behavior/Strategy:  They cry, whine, tell a sob story - anything to convince the Officer to give them a break.

Personality Type:  Histrionic Types, Dependent Types, Anybody and everbody who is stopped!

Comments:  "Normally, I don't speed ... but I have to go to the bathroom real bad."  "I didn't know a seat belt was required except on the highway."  "Did I do something wrong, Officer?"  "I'm not from around here; that's why I ran that light ... I didn't know it was there."  "If you give me a ticket, I'll lose my job."  "I just wasn't thinking, Officer .... I'm worried about my mother who just learned she has cancer."

View from the Psycholigist's Couch:  One of the things that makes alcoholism so insidious is that the alcoholic refuses to see himself or herself as being an alcoholic; that is, as one who has a drinking problem.  How often does one hear the comment, "I can take it or leave it?"  There are many kinds of people who seem to live out their lives in denial.  Some try to rationalize their actions - or failure to act. Others somehow seem to be allergic to the truth and simply lie their way out of every situation.  A third group are those who will not accept personal responsibility for their actions and want to transfer blame to someone or something else.  The Black comedian, Flip Wilson, was famous for his creation of a female character name "Geraldine" who was always saying, "The Devil made me do it!"

The rationalizers actually do feel they have a legitimate reason for what they did - they truly believe their behaviors are justified.  The one good thing about rationalizers, however, is that they are at least resorting to reason of some kind and can, therefore, be reasoned with.  The best approach is to emphathize with them, but stick to your guns and enforce the law.  Since they truly believe their excuse is justifiable, presenting them with options (such as "taking it to court") gives them an out and usually will pacify them.

The only way to deal with lying is not to accept it as truth or confront it for what it is.  Liars don't like to be called liars!  "That's what the courts are for" is probably one of the best lines an Officer can learn, and it is the best defense against lies.  As to the drivers who blame others, etc. for their actions, the best policy is simply to acknowledge what they are saying without agreeing or debating their excuse(s); and do your job.  With both the liars and those who will not accept personal responsibility for what they did, there is often times an element of implied insult.  By this I mean:  the very fact that they are saying what they are saying is an insult to your intelligence. "Do they really think I am so stupid as to believe this nonsense?"  Caution: Don't take it personally!  Acknowledge what the driver is saying, explain their options, and do your job.  A good response to this is "Gee, I hate to to this, but it's my job."  By allowing people to save face, you can usually control the situation without having to be confrontive.

4.     KNOW-IT-ALLS:

Behavior/Strategy:  Violators who quote the law, challenge the validity of the law, and tell the Officer what he should or ought to be doing.

Personality Type:  Borderline Personality Disorder, Antisocial Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsives.

Comments:  "Ah, come on.... Everyone drives fast on this road ... What's the big deal?"  "I was keeping pace with everyone else ... Why didn't you stop them?"  "I'll admit, I was going pretty fast, but not that fast ... Your radar must not be working right."  "Why isn't this a 45 zone?  It should be. 30 is too slow.  Dumb law, if you ask me."  "You can't write me a ticket; I'm in my own drive-way."

View from the Psycholigist's Couch:  What is it about human nature that we find it so difficult to admit we're wrong or that we don't know everything.  To err is human ... to admit it is out of the question!  This seems to be the basis upon which many people operate.  To the know-it-all, it isn't enough for them to think this way; they want everyone else to agree that they are right.  The trick is not to get sucked in and having to prove them wrong and you right.  It has been said: "For those who bleieve in God, no proof is necessary ... For those who do not believe in God, no proof is possible!"  Well, the same is true with respect to the know-it-alls:  you cannot prove they are wrong!  So, why try?!

5.     DEFIANCE AND DENIAL:

6.     PASSIVE-AGGRESSIVES:

Behavior/Strategy:  Resistant, non-listeners, clams, motorists who display no remorse, drivers who refuse to sign the ticket or who won't roll down the window.

Personality Type:  Passive-Aggressive Disorders, Avoidant Types, Antisocial Disorders. They interrupt or misinterpret what the Officer says.  They won't listen to anything you have to say.

Comments:  (The 'silent types' who actually say nothing!)

View from the Psycholigist's Couch:  Aggression exists along two dimensions:  verbal aggression and physical aggression.  A lot of people really don't like getting physical, but they don't waste a moment getting into your face in a more passive manner.  Aggression is a form of manipulation that seeks to accomplish two things:  one, to divert your attention; and two, to strike out at you in way.  What the person wants to do is to humiliate you; to make you feel stupid; or to otherwise intimidate you about doing your job.  You might think of it as the driver's version of Verbal Judo - trying to get the Officer not to do what they don't want done (writing a ticket).  They attempt to control others via threats, vulgar language, derogatory statements, and, generally, anything they can think of to "get under your skin."  They sound like a broken record.  Their goal is to suck you into their game.  Essentially, these people are bullies.  They relish being sarcastic.  Let them vent, but set limits!  Be aware, however, that when they see themselves failing in their game, they can get physical and even violent!

7.     VICTIMS: 

Behavior/Strategy:  Drivers who claim the Officer singled them out in a discriminatory manner to receive a citation.

Personality Type:  Borderline Disorders, Narcissistic Types (To them it is always about them!), Dependent Types.

Comments:  "You wouldn't have stopped me if I wasn't driving an expensive (or sporty) car."  "The only reason you stopped me is because I am from out of town."  "If I was white (or a pretty woman, had big breasts, was another cop, etc) you wouldn't be giving me a ticket."

View from the Psycholigist's Couch:  This is the "Poor me!" person who spends much of their life at a pity party.  They are a sort of mixed personality disorder type.  Like the Paranoid, they think you have singled them out to write a ticket.  Like the Dependent Personality, they pout and sulk.  They deny.  They accuse.  They blame.  They try to make you feel guilty for doing your job.  The key here is not to get roped in and be on their level.  Let them know you enforce the law equally without regard to race, make of car, etc. - remain patient (because these people can really get on your nerves!), and get away from them as quickly as possible!

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PART V:  PERSONALITY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT

Twelve Desirable Traits for Law Enforcement Candidates

Law and Order Magazine, December, 2002, by Patrick Oliver, Chief of Police, Fairborn, Ohio

1. Integrity
2. An understanding of, and tolerance for, human diversity
3. A sense of service to the community
4. Team compatibility
5. Oral communication skills
6. Written communication skills
7. Motivation and the ability to work independently
8. Decision-making and problem-solving skills
9. Human relations skills
10. Self-control
11. Planning and organizational ability
12. Performance driven

Law Enforcement agencies are changed more in the interviewing room than in the training room.  These traits should be prerequisite requirements, not post-hire abilities.  Behavior and traits cause most of the disciplinary problems for Law Enforcement agencies.  There are two aspects of a person's ability:  what they can do and what they will do.  The profession of Law Enforcement is about service.

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QUIZ
Answer True or False

1. Personality is defined as an enduring pattern of attitudes and behaviors.
2. Law Enforcement Officers experience the most problems with the Cluster B Personality Types.
3. The second most pathological personality disorder is the Borderline Personality.
4. When a driver tells an Officer that he pays his salary, a good response is, "Well the, how about a raise, you cheapscape!"
5. Motorists who call upon themselves or others are using a technique called "appeal to a higher authority" to try and manipulate their way out of a ticket.
6. Bullies who try to shout their way out of a ticket are known as "excuse givers."
7. The difference between a personality "style" and that of a personality "disorder" is that the "style" is a less healthy way to adapt to situations in life.
8. There are two aspects to a person's personality:  what they can do and what they will do.
9. Upper body strength is the most important requirement for a person to be a Law Enforcement Officer.
10. The most dangerous people that a Law Enforcement Officer will encounter on traffic stops are those individuals who are hallucinating or under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

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NATIONAL RESERVE LAW OFFICERS ASSOCIATION
P.O. BOX 6505      SAN ANTONIO, TX 78209
(210) 805-8917      FAX:  (210) 804-2463