The psychological aspect is an important element that many do not evaluate or take into consideration when confronting criminality in our society, so in today's column we will talk about this issue and its impact.
by Héctor R. Torres, PhD, MBA, CPP, CFE, CHS*
A fraternal greeting from Puerto Rico to all colleagues and readers of this column. It is a pleasure to share again with you. I want to send a very affectionate greeting to a great colleague, friend and professor of mine who is also a reader of these columns. This is Mr. Angel Jimenez, who serves as Commissioner of the Municipal Police in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. Mr. Jiménez is a worthy example of self-improvement and professionalism. Angel, thank you for all your support through all these years and I wish you many successes in the future.
I just returned from the annual Executive Protection Institute (EPI) convention held in Orlando, Florida. This convention brought together many of the graduates of the two most prestigious schools of executive protection in the United States. The convention culminated in an incredible talk given by Lieutenant Colonel (retired) Dave Grossman, an expert and professor of combat psychology. During his talk, Grossman highlighted an important aspect that many do not evaluate or take into consideration when confronting criminality in our society. I am referring to the psychological aspect of threat denial. In today's column we will talk about this issue and how it impacts our society.
Problematic background
On a psychological level, every human being is born with a certain degree of intrinsic resistance to killing or doing serious harm to another human being. This resistance is considered as more or less a defense mechanism to protect and spread our species. This resistance in turn is strengthened by aspects of our cultures, customs, and religious beliefs.
However, as we all know, there are exceptions to this resistance. There are those who we could classify as sociopaths or psychopaths, who do not feel the slightest remorse for causing harm or killing another human being. I am referring to criminals who operate on the edge of the norms set by society. Those who steal, defraud, extort, kidnap and murder regardless of the harm and suffering they cause to their victims or to society.
Among wolves, sheep and guard dogs
Grossman makes an interesting analogy and tells us that 1% of the population belongs to this group of evildoers and are like wolves in search of easy prey. They are opportunists looking for ways to intimidate, take over and destroy a society for their own benefit.
Although we recognize existence and look for ways to deal with these elements, 98% of the population are like sheep living their lives without worrying about the threats these elements may present to society. This segment of the population can even live and work in high-crime areas as if criminality did not affect them. They live trying to ignore potential threats as if ignoring them get rid of them. According to Grossman, this 98% of the population does not want to recognize existence nor does it want to face the threats of criminality.
After tolerating so many criminal acts and violence, this segment of the population tends to live in total denial of criminality. Denial works as a defense mechanism so that this segment can adapt and survive psychologically in an environment full of threats.
Following Grossman's analogy, the other 1% are like the guard dogs that take care of the herd. Those who daily face threats and seek to protect us from criminality. They are the ones who day by day study the most effective ways to deal with threats and confront them with courage, a sense of duty and often with scarce resources.
I am referring to soldiers, police officers, firefighters, emergency medical personnel and all those who work in our security profession. I refer to those human beings endowed with a very special vocation where they risk everything for the safety of others. Many are unsung heroes lacking the well-deserved graces of a society for their personal sacrifices beyond the call of duty.
Our challenge
Criminality will be successful as long as members of a society continue to live their lives like sheep in total denial. If we live in denial, wolves take over and destroy the flock. Criminality as a social problem cannot be denied, cannot be ignored and cannot wait for it to cease to exist. Criminality has to be confronted with a sense of urgency. Today we have to examine ourselves as members of a society and decide if we are going to continue to live like sheep or if we are going to be like the watchdogs and make the big difference.
The responsibility to deal effectively with criminality does not fall on the state but on the shoulders of every member of society. Only in this way can we enjoy a society and a future full of great possibilities. I invite you to continue to share your ideas and concerns from the world and security management.
A hug and see you next time!
* If you wish you can write to the author of this article by email: [email protected]
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