<p> Recording police officers can result in distraction, fear, and false perceptions of law enforcement personnel when citizens upload the videos to social media, though little is understood about police perceptions of this phenomenon. Using evaluation apprehension theory, emotional labor theory, and emotional intelligence as the foundation, the purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the feelings and experiences of police officers recorded by citizens with cell phone cameras while working. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 10 police officers in the State of Indiana who were recorded with cell phone cameras. The data were transcribed, inductively coded, and then subjected to descriptive 7 steps, thematic, and cross-case analysis procedures. Key findings suggest officers experienced feelings of disengagement from duties when recorded by citizens. Results revealed concerns of professional appearance, self-reputation, and self-esteem. However, the study also indicated that the application of emotional intelligence and emotional labor from leadership could be used to assist officers in managing such disengagement. The implications for social change provided by this study include the development of training materials for law enforcement professionals who work through emotional intelligence while fostering opportunities for community engagement. For the public, this study provides an educational opportunity for the community to understand the feelings and significances of police officers who are recorded.</p><p>

<p> The Department of Homeland Security leaders with over 230,000 employees are tasked with maintaining the security and safety of people and infrastructure. The unique mission of each agency poses a leadership challenge across directorates. To accomplish the security task, leadership must employ a highly trained, resilient, and effective workforce. The problem is that employees continue to report low levels of job satisfaction and lack of leadership. The purpose of this study was to understand the job satisfaction of a small segment departmental employees, former undercover officers. The current study utilized a qualitative method with a multiple case study design. Participants were recruited from an association of retired special agents. Seventeen former undercover officers were interviewed in-depth to gain a perspective of their relationship with their supervisors while working undercover. This study examined four research questions. To gain information concerning the four research questions, 15 interview questions were asked of each participant. The information gathered was analyzed and coded, eight themes were developed. The findings revealed former undercover officers maintained an elevated level of job satisfaction while working undercover regardless of their supervisors&rsquo; knowledge and abilities. Participants reported lower level of job satisfaction when undercover work concluded. This finding was in contrast with the guiding theoretical framework in the literature concerning leader-member-exchange theory. Former undercover officers reacted positively to supervisors with transformational leaderships skills which is supported by the leaders-member-exchange literature. The potential implication of this study is continued reported low levels of job satisfaction by employees may lead to lower levels of performance which can degrade the security of our nation. Future studies should include a quantitative study of currently active undercovers officers through anonymous surveys to protect their identity and safety.</p><p>

<p> Recent negatively publicized police-citizen interactions in the media, followed by a subsequent rise in crime rates in the United States, has been named the Ferguson Effect. The Ferguson Effect has been explored by prominent scholars in the criminal justice community; however, little is known about how police officers in small police agencies perceive the Ferguson Effect. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the perceptions and lived experiences of police officers regarding the Ferguson Effect in small police agencies, as well as police officers&rsquo; perceptions of their own organizational justice. The theoretical framework for this study was Greenberg&rsquo;s theory of organizational justice. Research questions focused on exploring police officers&rsquo; perceptions, attitudes, and experiences of the Ferguson Effect phenomenon and willingness to partner with the community. A qualitative phenomenological study design was employed, using purposeful random sampling and semistructured interviews of 9 active sworn law enforcement personnel in southcentral Virginia. Data were analyzed through In Vivo coding, pattern coding, and structural analysis utilizing NVivo 11 Pro. Themes included: (a) racial division, (b) rush to judgment, and (c) steadfast leadership. Findings indicated participants demanded clear and fair policies and procedures from leadership, increased effort of transparency in policing, feelings of racial tension, and the need to regain community trust post-Ferguson. Implications for social change include refinement and development of leadership training for police leadership and refinement in organizational policies that support fairness, community engagement, and community interaction.</p><p>