Now or never? Divisions over Time in Relation to Psychological Support in the Police

In the 1980s, the integration of psychologists into the police initially aimed to challenge police norms and practices “from below”. Based on a qualitative study of so-called “support” psychologists and commissioners, this article examines negotiations over task allocation and the timing of care given to officers. It shows that psychological interventions navigate divergent views on commissioners’ roles, time, and reflexivity, while remaining constrained by demands for availability and responsiveness, reflecting the workings of the police institution.