Steroids in Law Enforcement

Steroids in Law Enforcement

a look into situational steroid use

By Jesse Hurley

Types of SteroidsTypes of Steroids

Anabolic steroids - natural and synthetic steroid hormones that promote muscle growth. Most commonly associated with body builders and athletes.

Corticosteroids - anti-inflammatory drugs made to mimic the hormone produced by the adrenal gland. Used to medically treat allergic reactions, severe osteoarthritis, and management of complications from cancer treatment.

Sex hormones - hormones produced by the adrenal gland that promote sexual development in males and females.

Prohormones - natural substances secreted by human glands which precede in the metabolic system the action of a potent hormone

There are four types of steroids, each class having different functions:

(Brooks, D.W., Steroids: Just the Facts.)

The Stereotype

The StereotypeIn our society when people

think of steroid use the connotation is often a negative

one.

In our society when people think of steroid use the

connotation is often a negative one.

The image is one of giant muscled men with raging

tempers, sports icons breaking record scores, or violent crimes

being committed in a steroid induced rage.

Ronnie Coleman Images

Google Images

The RealityThe Reality

Steroids have a very real impact on the body and can be

detrimental to one’s health in many ways.

These health risks are most commonly associated with

anabolic steroids.

We all know that there are very serious side effects

associated with steroid use.

Steroids Side Effects

The QuestionThe Question

Are there certain instances when the use of steroids under a doctors

supervision can be beneficial?

Are there certain instances when the use of steroids under a doctors

supervision can be beneficial?

While we know that there can be negative effects with the long term use of steroids, there is little reporting done on its benefits or use

outside of body building.

While we know that there can be negative effects with the long term use of steroids, there is little reporting done on its benefits or use

outside of body building.

Why start “juicing”? Why start “juicing”? •Physical appearance: steroids are used by those who wish to change their personal appearance by being fit and looking healthy

•Workouts: reduce recovery time, improve strength, increase muscle mass, and increase aggressiveness.

•Physical Performance: body builders, athletes, and those into fitness create a “competitive edge”

•Occupational enhancement: use in jobs that require the use of physical strength such as law enforcement, body guards, and those in occupations where physical strength is required

•Physical appearance: steroids are used by those who wish to change their personal appearance by being fit and looking healthy

•Workouts: reduce recovery time, improve strength, increase muscle mass, and increase aggressiveness.

•Physical Performance: body builders, athletes, and those into fitness create a “competitive edge”

•Occupational enhancement: use in jobs that require the use of physical strength such as law enforcement, body guards, and those in occupations where physical strength is required

(Brooks, D.W., Steroids: Just the Facts.)

INJECTEDINJECTED

There are those that believe steroid use can be beneficial given the right circumstances.

There are those that believe steroid use can be beneficial given the right circumstances.

For example, in law enforcement police and corrections officers are in physical jeopardy on a daily basis.

Criminals are often under the influence of drugs that can make them irrational, unpredictable, and dangerous. (Yargo, 2010) Why shouldn’t those

protecting the public be given the edge?

For example, in law enforcement police and corrections officers are in physical jeopardy on a daily basis.

Criminals are often under the influence of drugs that can make them irrational, unpredictable, and dangerous. (Yargo, 2010) Why shouldn’t those

protecting the public be given the edge?

You are about to see a proponent for steroid use in law enforcement. Take a moment for:

You are about to see a proponent for steroid use in law enforcement. Take a moment for:

(*YouTube - Police Officers and Law Enforcement Using Steroids)

Public PerceptionPublic PerceptionIt is expected that law enforcement officers will “protect and serve”. However, being a public servant also means that your actions are constantly being scrutinized. (Erdely,

2005)

Whenever aggressive measures are used by law enforcement, the tactics always seem to be analyzed and second guessed by the public and media.

It is because of the potential bad press, law suits, and the potential for injury that the least physical means of dealing with criminals must be taken. (Erdely, 2005)

This does not always create the safest situation for the officers at risk.

It is expected that law enforcement officers will “protect and serve”. However, being a public servant also means that your actions are constantly being scrutinized. (Erdely,

2005)

Whenever aggressive measures are used by law enforcement, the tactics always seem to be analyzed and second guessed by the public and media.

It is because of the potential bad press, law suits, and the potential for injury that the least physical means of dealing with criminals must be taken. (Erdely, 2005)

This does not always create the safest situation for the officers at risk.

Photograph

Where are steroids used?

Where are steroids used?

They have to be even brawnier than the people they are fighting. One former Maryland officer says he was scared into taking steroids after a suspect

grabbed his radio off his belt during a tussle.

Despite falling crime rates in many U.S. cities, officers say that their patrols are rougher than ever, with criminals who are bigger, badder, and more

audacious. Not surprisingly, it is higher-crime areas where, experts say, steroid-using cops are more prevalent.

“We’ve had crack and meth users fight two to four officers,” says a 28-year-old Iowa cop, a former juicer who says he’s tempted to start again. “We recently

had a crack user break his leg and disarm on police officer, while he was fighting two other cops.”

(Erdely, 2005)

Intimidation vs. ConfrontationIntimidation vs. Confrontation

The more fit on is, the more likely they are to maintain the upper hand. The larger and stronger one appears, the less likely a criminal will look for weakness to

escape being arrested. Steroids can help create and maintain this physical state to give an edge to the officers at risk. Being and feeling strong also creates

personal confidence.

An officer who used steroids was quoted in a Men’s Health article stating: “I knew no one was going to mess with me. And if they did, I knew I could take ‘em,” he says. “The confidence thing was huge.” Jimmy says his newfound self-

assurance made him an even calmer officer, one whose judgement was never clouded by fear. (Erdely, 2005)

Intimication

Risks to OfficersRisks to Officers•Correctional officers have one of the highest rates of nonfatal on-the job injuries.

•Guards are often outnumbered by physically fit and violent offenders.

•Correctional officers may have to restrain inmates in handcuffs and leg irons to safely escort them to and from cells, or use force to remove uncooperative inmates from cells.

•Among correctional officers, losing respect from inmates is one of the biggest fears because the guard may be treated as weak which can result in threats or attacks.

(Yargo, 2010)

Situations Situations

•lifting, dragging, extracting•carrying, pushing•pursuit involving running up stairs•running sustained pursuit •dodging, jumping, climbing a fence •crawling •vaulting obstacles

•lifting, dragging, extracting•carrying, pushing•pursuit involving running up stairs•running sustained pursuit •dodging, jumping, climbing a fence •crawling •vaulting obstacles

There have been some arguments regarding whether or not it is necessary for police officers to be in shape. The reality is that not all situations

calling for physical strength and stamina include physical confrontations.

According to the article Underlying Physical Fitness Factors for Performing Police Officer Physical

Tasks(Collingwood, 2010) here are some other actions that may be needed in an emergency situation:

When it comes to your own safety, who would

you choose?

When it comes to your own safety, who would

you choose?“The functional argument holds that the physical and psychological effects of

steroids promote the safety of the officer and, therefore, public safety as well.”

“The functional argument holds that the physical and psychological effects of steroids promote the safety of the officer and, therefore, public safety as well.”

Ronnie Coleman ImagesGoogle Images

ReferencesReferences

"YouTube - Police Officers and Law Enforcement Using Steroids." YouTube - Broadcast Yourself. Anabolic Network, 08 Apr. 2008. Web. 20 Nov. 2010. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayOCEjSrAJ4>.

Erdely, Sabrina R. "Cops On Steroids." Men's Health (2005). Men's Health. Web. 10 Nov. 2010. <http://www.menshealth.com/health/scandals-cops-and-steroids>.

Collingwood, Thomas R. "Underlying Physical Fitness Factors for Performing Police Officer Physical Tasks." Police Chief Magazine (2010). The Police Chief. Web. 15 Nov. 2010.

<http://policechiefmagazine.org/magazine/index.cfm?fuseaction=display_arch&article_id=251&issue_id=32004>.

Yargo,, By John. "Prison Guard Dangers | EHow.com." EHow | How To Do Just About Everything! | How To Videos & Articles. 16 Feb. 2010. Web. 20 Nov. 2010. <http://www.ehow.com/list_5992393_prison-guard-

dangers.html>.

"Steroids: Just the Facts." D. W. Brooks Site. 17 Oct. 1997. Web. 20 Nov. 2010. <http://dwb.unl.edu/teacher/nsf/c10/c10links/www.tcada.state.tx.us/research/facts/steroids.html>.

"Google Images." Google. Web. 20 Nov. 2010. <http://www.google.com/imghp>.

Ronnie Coleman Images. Photograph. In.com. Web. 20 Nov. 2010. <http://connect.in.com/ronnie-coleman/images-ronnie-coleman--1-287946704662.html>.

Intimidation. Photograph. Motivational Posters. Web. 20 Nov. 2010. <http://motivationalpostersonline.blogspot.com/2008/03/intimidation.html>.

Photograph. SodaHead. 18 Aug. 2009. Web. 20 Nov. 2010. <http://www.sodahead.com/united-states/the-police-are-not-legally-obligated-to-protect-you/blog-134705/>.

Steroid Side Effects. Photograph. The Role of Chemistry in History. 28 Apr. 2008. Web. 20 Nov. 2010. <http://itech.dickinson.edu/chemistry/?p=583>.