Conceptualisation, Place and Role of Operational Psychology in Psychology and Law Enforcement Sciences 1.

Introduction to the Theoretical Framework of Operational Psychology

Abstract

This article is the first chapter of a two-part study, the central theme of which is organised around the issue of operational psychology and its theoretical framework. In recent years, applied researches and practical task activities in criminal psychology have been strengthened, but scientific, empirical researches and studies related to operational psychology are less available to this extent. Nevertheless, there is no doubt that operational psychology has increased relevance in both psychology and law enforcement. The aim of my article is to present the scientific diversity of operational psychology and to highlight how a currently less conceptualised, multidisciplinary applied field can serve the effective performance of law enforcement tasks. For the above-mentioned points, I analyse the relevant literatures about operational psychology and write a review study. Despite the fact that operational psychology is a less well-defined field and operates within a less defined framework, it is clear from the literature review that this applied psychology could greatly support law enforcement tasks. Although its methodology is also immature, it can nevertheless draw heavily from the methodologies of psychology and related disciplines, which, if successfully integrated, can play an outstanding role as a special operations support field. It would be advisable to pay attention to the conceptualisation of operational psychology in addition to criminal psychology, which could also include clarifying the systems of relationships and the belonging to the scientific field.