Risk-Taking as a Psychological Readiness to Overcome Obstacles among Employees of Operational Units in Conditions of Opposition

Annotation : This article is devoted to the study of risk propensity of future operational police officers as a psychological readiness to overcome obstacles in the face of resistance. The interrelation of risk propensity with the level of motivation and type of behavior in conflict situations is presented. The propensity to risk is considered as a determinant of psychological readiness to overcome negative conditions and circumstances, confrontation and opposition.


Introduction.
Risk holds a unique significance in the human experience.Throughout their lives, individuals inevitably encounter situations where they must take risks to attain their desired outcomes.For certain individuals, embracing risk becomes an intrinsic aspect of existence, offering unforgettable emotions, self-testing, and an expression of adventurous spirit.Some people find pleasure in taking risks, developing a dependency on the thrill it provides.In contemporary society, the presence of risk extends beyond just extreme professional pursuits; it permeates even into unconventional hobbies, occasionally resulting in tragic consequences.However, a prudent risk appetite can be justified and lead to the achievement of cherished goals.
The tendency to risk is a stable but secondary characteristic of an individual, as it is conditioned by the presence of other personal characteristics in a personthe desire to search for new sensations, perseverance, impulsivity, anxiety and self-efficacy [1, pp. 51, 52].
Risk is an activity related to overcoming uncertainty in a situation of inevitable choice, during which it is possible to quantify and qualitatively assess the probability of achieving the intended result, failure and deviation from the goal [2, p. 104].
Law enforcement officers working in operational units of the police face a myriad of occupational risks as they carry out their duties to maintain public safety and uphold the law.These risks encompass a range of physical, psychological, and environmental challenges that demand a vigilant and resilient workforce.The professional activity of an operational police officer has a pronounced extreme character.The impact of various kinds of stress factors, intensive interaction with social, addictive and criminal personalities, a high level of requirements for professional and moral qualities and personal responsibility cause mental tension in this activity.
The professional activity of operational staff is an extreme type of activity associated with danger, risk, the need to observe secrecy, the manifestation of resourcefulness, prudence, significant mental and emotional tension.
An extreme situation in the operational and official activities of police officers is understood as a situation that arose in the context of solving an operational and official task, associated with increased mental, mental and physical stress, as well as danger to life and health.Actions in extreme conditions are characterized by significant intensity, tension, and high loads, under which the human psyche acts under conditions of maximum possible loads [3].
A special traumatic factor in the activities of an operational police officer is associated with countering crime, which is associated with a high level of risk to life, health and safety.
A variety of social (often non-standard) situations, conspiratorial role-playing behavior, confidentiality of information, the conflictual nature of interaction with those who violate the law, and other specific features of the official activity of an employee of an operational unit imply the presence not only of professionally developed important qualities such as communicative, emotional-volitional, intellectual, but also a prudent propensity to risk.
The need to overcome obstacles in the face of opposition and confrontation has a clear conflict character, which requires a strong-willed effort, and sometimes a psychological willingness to take risks.
In situations of conflict interaction, there are four types of interaction: advancing, yielding, avoiding, and denying.
The coming type of behavior in situations of conflict interaction is characterized by the desire to overcome obstacles and difficulties, achieving the goals set for themselves.At the same time, actions are carried out aggressively and aggressively.A conceding type of behavior is characterized by agreeing to any offer that is not even beneficial to the subject himself, due to the fact that he wants to get rid of discomfort.Most often, such people try to join someone who can solve everything for them.
The avoidant type of behavior is characterized by a desire to avoid discussing a particular problem; this is due to a sense of guilt or misunderstanding of the essence of the problem involved.This type of behavior is inherent in people who do not take responsibility, do not show initiative and perseverance due to a lack of understanding of the essence of the problem.
The negating type of behavior does not accept any conditions and circumstances of the actual issue.Also, to avoid discomfort from conflict, denies the existence of a problem.The subject of this type of behavior does not tell anyone any problems, but tries to solve them on his own.The willingness to take risks of an operational police officer is understood as a personal property of self-regulation, manifested when making decisions and choosing behavioral strategies in conditions of uncertainty.
Future operational staff are characterized by an average risk appetite.Such an employee is decisive in his actions, has an active lifestyle and is confident in himself.Most cadets have a prudent risk appetite, the presence of which is implied in their professional activities.As it is known in psychology, risk-taking is associated with achievement motivation.It should also be borne in mind that in the system of internal affairs bodies there is a principle of subordination, following which implies the tactics of "order -subordination".
The coming type of behavior in a situation of conflict interaction contributes to the active counteraction to negative circumstances when achieving the set goal.The presence of variations of this type of behavioradvancing-yielding and yielding-advancingmeans psychological flexibility and willingness to act in accordance with circumstances, including showing adaptive abilities, adhering to the position to "win the war, it is worth losing the battle." A prudent propensity for risk, combined with a moderately high level of motivation and an upcoming type of behavior in situations of conflict interaction, implies that all actions taken should be thought out in accordance with the goal set within the framework of professional activity.This is where the psychological readiness to overcome obstacles in conditions of inconsistency and conflict of interests manifests itself.
A moderately high level of motivation, meets the professional requirements of the personality of an operational police officer.It contributes to the achievement of goals and forms the ability to adequately assess the situation.
Moderate risk and adequately high motivation combined with an active, self-protecting position allow you to adequately assess the situation, make the right decision and achieve the desired result.Thus, future operational staff need to develop qualities such as stress tolerance, efficiency, responsibility, communication, as well as psycho-emotional stability and the ability to immediately switch attention to the surrounding conditions: people, their actions, technical means, characteristic details of the event.
In general, the professional activity of an operational police officer is a constant stress, physical and mental stress.This is what accompanies the fight against crime.And in this struggle, the main thing is the ability to react quickly, to make adequate decisions, the outcome of which should be for the benefit of society.
Physical Risks: a. Violent Confrontations: Police officers often find themselves in situations involving confrontations with armed or aggressive individuals, increasing the risk of physical harm.b.Injury during Arrests: Physical altercations during arrests can lead to injuries for both officers and suspects, posing a direct threat to the well-being of law enforcement personnel.Psychological Risks: a. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Exposure to traumatic incidents, such as violent crimes or accidents, can contribute to the development of PTSD among officers.b.Mental Health Challenges: The nature of the job, including dealing with distressing situations and making split-second decisions, can contribute to stress, anxiety, and other mental health issues.Environmental Risks: a. Exposure to Hazardous Materials: Officers may encounter hazardous substances, such as chemicals or drugs, during raids or investigations, exposing them to potential health risks.b.Extreme Weather Conditions: Operational units often operate in diverse environments, including adverse weather conditions, which can impact the health and safety of officers.Legal and Ethical Risks: a. Legal Liabilities: Officers face the risk of legal consequences for actions taken in the line of duty, requiring a thorough understanding of laws and regulations.b.Ethical Dilemmas: The nature of police work can present ethical challenges, and officers may face dilemmas that require quick and morally sound decision-making.Training and Preparedness: a. Inadequate Training: Insufficient training in handling specific situations can heighten the risk of errors or suboptimal decision-making during critical incidents.b.Lack of Equipment: Insufficient access to necessary equipment, such as protective gear or communication devices, can jeopardize officers' safety.
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