Applying Differential Coercion and Social Support Theory to Police Officers' Misconduct
ABSTRACT The goal of this study is to test differential coercion and social support theory on police officers' misconduct. Data from the Police Stress and Domestic Violence in Police Families in Baltimore, Maryland, 1997 1999 are analyzed to test the propositions of the theory. Specifically, we test whether this theory can explain intimate partner violence (IPV) and problematic drinking perpetrated by police officers. Results indicated that two types of coercion (out of five) were significant in predicting IPV perpetration, while two alternate forms of coercion were significant in predicting problematic alcohol consumption. Anger was the only significant social psychological deficit in predicting both dependent variables. Social support, mainly from family/friends and the department, only decreased the odds of problematic alcohol consumption. The current study provides further evidence that victimization continues to be one of the most consistent forms of coercion most likely to lead to criminal behavior.