This article examines the tensions between operationality (rapid action and control)
and reflexivity (thoughtful, long-term care) within the French police force, focusing on
the relationship between police chiefs and support psychologists in the Operational
Psychological Support Service (OPSS), established in 1996. Although officially
independent, psychologists often find their work shaped by police chiefs’ demands for
immediate, action-oriented responses—clashing with their own emphasis on long-term,
reflective care. Chiefs frequently delegate emotional and support tasks to psychologists
to reduce their administrative burdens and clarify their managerial boundaries.
Psychologists, in turn, balance compliance with urgent requests and resistance to
maintain professional autonomy. Temporal dynamics are key: Chiefs prioritize quick
responses, while psychologists advocate for coordinated, deliberate interventions.
These tensions mirror broader gendered and professional divides, with “masculine”
operational logics often overshadowing “feminine” care-oriented practices.
Psychologists also act as advisors, influencing chiefs’ decisions and fostering greater
awareness of officer well-being. Their integration into the police force is not marked
by outright conflict but by ongoing negotiation, redefining both their own roles and
those of police leadership. The article demonstrates how psychological support is
institutionalized within policing—not through confrontation, but through continuous
negotiation between care and control.