Research indicates a concerning trend: domestic violence rates among law enforcement officers may exceed those of the general population. Specifically, studies have pointed to figures around 28% for officers compared to 16% in the general populace. A key factor explored to understand this disparity is the traditional police subculture. This subculture, characterized by specific values and norms, has been previously linked to heightened work-related stress and the use of force in professional duties. However, the direct connection between this subculture and domestic violence within police families has remained less clear, prompting deeper investigation.
A study aimed to bridge this gap by examining whether officers who strongly adhere to traditional police subculture traits are more prone to domestic violence against their partners. The research distinguished between two forms of domestic violence: physical assault and psychological violence. Furthermore, it considered the moderating role of gender in this dynamic. The study involved surveying 90 officers from various departments in Central Florida, utilizing a survey built upon established scales to measure adherence to police subculture and incidents of domestic violence.
Employing Tobit and Logistic Regression analysis, the research uncovered a significant finding: officers who embraced aspects of the traditional police subculture were indeed more likely to engage in psychological domestic violence. Interestingly, the study did not find a statistical link between adherence to police subculture and physical domestic violence. This nuanced result highlights the complex ways in which police culture might contribute to harmful behaviors within intimate relationships, primarily manifesting in psychological aggression rather than physical violence, according to this research. These findings open avenues for future research to further explore the intricacies of police subculture and its impact on officer’s personal lives, particularly concerning domestic dynamics.
