Wednesday, September 9, 2026
Science

Some police officers use the 'bad guys' label to provide moral clarity

A new study shows that some U.S. police officers often use the term "bad guys" to describe people who commit crimes, especially when faced with ambiguity in their work. It is a label officers may use to reduce complex and morally challenging situations and contexts into a clearer, more legible frame...

Some police officers use the 'bad guys' label to provide moral clarity
Image: Phys.org
A new study shows that some U.S. police officers often use the term "bad guys" to describe people who commit crimes, especially when faced with ambiguity in their work. It is a label officers may use to reduce complex and morally challenging situations and contexts into a clearer, more legible framework.

Originally published at Phys.org

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