The Hero in You

Career

The Challenges Police Officers Face When Leaving the Force

Brian A. Kinnaird Ph.D. on August 2, 2023

When law enforcement officers enter civilian life, they can experience challenges that can include feelings of loss, uncertainty, and isolation.

When law enforcement officers enter civilian life, they can experience challenges that can include feelings of loss, uncertainty, and isolation.

Stress

Stress and the Service-to-Civilian Transition

Brian A. Kinnaird Ph.D. on May 30, 2023

The end of a police career marks a new chapter in the lives of police veterans. Find out how transition stress can disrupt a healthy adaptation.

The end of a police career marks a new chapter in the lives of police veterans. Find out how transition stress can disrupt a healthy adaptation.

Alcoholism

A Former Cop's Battle With Benzodiazepines

Brian A. Kinnaird Ph.D. on March 24, 2023

Personal Perspective: Cops and veterans deserve a “deep dive” when it comes to the treatment of psychological distress. For me, that dive was dangerously shallow.

Personal Perspective: Cops and veterans deserve a “deep dive” when it comes to the treatment of psychological distress. For me, that dive was dangerously shallow.

Career

6 Ways Police Veterans Become Trapped

Brian A. Kinnaird Ph.D. on February 16, 2023

Forging a healthy post-service trajectory through transition often requires a confrontation with yourself. Find out how you can become “stuck.”

Forging a healthy post-service trajectory through transition often requires a confrontation with yourself. Find out how you can become “stuck.”

Career

Peer-to-Peer Support for Police Veterans

Brian A. Kinnaird Ph.D. on January 12, 2023

How post-service peer support can enhance personal wellness for officers who are transitioning from service to civilian life.

How post-service peer support can enhance personal wellness for officers who are transitioning from service to civilian life.

Career

Peer Support Beyond the Badge

Brian A. Kinnaird Ph.D. on December 22, 2022

Peer support is a commonly held police practice for actively serving officers. Find out why it can also be valuable when leaving a law enforcement career.

Peer support is a commonly held police practice for actively serving officers. Find out why it can also be valuable when leaving a law enforcement career.

Identity

Loving and Leaving the Badge

Brian A. Kinnaird Ph.D. on November 22, 2022

Transitioning from service to civilian life can leave officers socially disconnected and grieving a lost identity. Find out how to bridge both worlds for improved wellness.

Transitioning from service to civilian life can leave officers socially disconnected and grieving a lost identity. Find out how to bridge both worlds for improved wellness.

Career

The Case for Former Cops

Brian A. Kinnaird Ph.D. on October 17, 2022

Walking away from the splendor and strain of a life oriented to serve and protect can be hard for any officer. Are you prepared?

Walking away from the splendor and strain of a life oriented to serve and protect can be hard for any officer. Are you prepared?

Career

Police Force and Policy

Brian A. Kinnaird Ph.D. on June 6, 2020

Policy reform in policing means creating new policy or changing the current one so agencies can protect the ones who ultimately protect us. A step-by-step guide can help!

Policy reform in policing means creating new policy or changing the current one so agencies can protect the ones who ultimately protect us. A step-by-step guide can help!

Career

Who's Really in Charge of the Police?

Brian A. Kinnaird Ph.D. on June 4, 2020

Police administration and reform go beyond just boots on the ground.

Police administration and reform go beyond just boots on the ground.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Thin Blue Line Against Anarchy

Brian A. Kinnaird Ph.D. on May 13, 2020

The police are no strangers to social conflict, but are they poised to face anarchy amid COVID-19?

The police are no strangers to social conflict, but are they poised to face anarchy amid COVID-19?

Media

Police Use of Force: Not Always For Public Consumption

Brian A. Kinnaird Ph.D. on February 24, 2020

Use of force works; the court of public opinion and sentiment does not. History and law goes a long way to help explain difficult situations that the phone videos can't capture.

Use of force works; the court of public opinion and sentiment does not. History and law goes a long way to help explain difficult situations that the phone videos can't capture.

Consumer Behavior

Cultural Confrontation via Decal Domination

Brian A. Kinnaird Ph.D. on November 2, 2019

From the rolling billboards of bumper stickers and car decals to the walking billboards of apparel, the pseudo-cultural use of symbols greatly impacts human sensibility.

From the rolling billboards of bumper stickers and car decals to the walking billboards of apparel, the pseudo-cultural use of symbols greatly impacts human sensibility.

Child Development

Making Sense of The Crystal Zebra

Brian A. Kinnaird Ph.D. on July 24, 2019

Swiss psychiatrist Jean Piaget's examination of schema can help us to understand categories of knowledge to interpret our children's world and development.

Swiss psychiatrist Jean Piaget's examination of schema can help us to understand categories of knowledge to interpret our children's world and development.

Career

Emergency Dispatchers As Unsung Heroes

Brian A. Kinnaird Ph.D. on March 30, 2019

Amidst the daily chaos of the law enforcement, fire, and EMS world lies the 911 operator and dispatcher. They are literally the lifeline heroes of a flat-line occupation.

Amidst the daily chaos of the law enforcement, fire, and EMS world lies the 911 operator and dispatcher. They are literally the lifeline heroes of a flat-line occupation.

Law and Crime

The Criminal Justice System is Broken and Can't Be Fixed

Brian A. Kinnaird Ph.D. on December 2, 2018

The conflict model of criminal justice informs us that the system is not harmonious. A big problem requires attention to the little things that matter and are within our reach.

The conflict model of criminal justice informs us that the system is not harmonious. A big problem requires attention to the little things that matter and are within our reach.

Cross-Cultural Psychology

Superheroes and the Hero Monomyth: Part II

Brian A. Kinnaird Ph.D. on August 26, 2018

Convictions give meaning to lives and enable us to find a place for ourselves in the larger universe. Pop culture superheroes often put that into perspective, breathing new life!

Convictions give meaning to lives and enable us to find a place for ourselves in the larger universe. Pop culture superheroes often put that into perspective, breathing new life!

Cross-Cultural Psychology

Superheroes and the Hero Monomyth: Part I

Brian A. Kinnaird Ph.D. on April 26, 2018

"A glorious age ... A very neon Renaissance and myths that actually touched you. Not Hercules, Orpheus, and Ulysses, but Superman, Captain Marvel, and Batman" —Tom Wolfe

"A glorious age ... A very neon Renaissance and myths that actually touched you. Not Hercules, Orpheus, and Ulysses, but Superman, Captain Marvel, and Batman" —Tom Wolfe

Ethics and Morality

I Was a 3rd Grade Supper Hero

Brian A. Kinnaird Ph.D. on December 20, 2017

Where social institutions and its rituals support the development of morality, their cultural hero systems can help to sustain it.

Where social institutions and its rituals support the development of morality, their cultural hero systems can help to sustain it.

Relationships

Twilight and Immortality Striving

Brian A. Kinnaird Ph.D. on August 30, 2017

If we accept our human condition and the many emotions that accompany mortality such as pain, discomfort, and, ultimately, death, we can begin to move beyond it.

If we accept our human condition and the many emotions that accompany mortality such as pain, discomfort, and, ultimately, death, we can begin to move beyond it.