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This article broadly defines cynicism as a pessimistic and suspicious outlook on the part of police officers towards their job, the public and society as a whole. Cynicism is an evolving characteristic of even the most idealistic police recruits. Since it appears to be inevitable, should it be considered an unpleasant epidemic and condemned, or should it be respected and embraced as a necessary police survival skill? Through comprehensive research and the author's self-analysis of journal entries made when he worked as a police officer, this article seeks to understand why police become cynical. Then it looks at the effects of cynicism on the police personality and police–community relations. While cynicism has negative side-effects for police personnel, its positive role in police work cannot be overlooked. The public expects a proactive, crime-fighting police force. For this reason, cynicism can be a valuable tool for the police.
Joel M. Caplan (Mon,) studied this question.