Ideological dilemmas of policing on the spectrum: Using critical discursive psychology to examine how neurodivergent police manage their identity framing

Abstract

In the context of autism and ADHD, tensions exist between medical and social model framings of disability. This article explores neurodivergent police accounts of how aspects of their conditions intersect with their occupational identity and what this means for a disability positioning. Using critical discursive psychology, we illuminate three ideological dilemmas from reflective interviews with 37 autistic police or those with ADHD: (1) tensions between the medical and social identity; (2) tensions between constructing ability and disability; and (3) tensions between remaining invisible and being an advocate. We conclude that a focus on discourse illustrates that organisations need to move away from binary thinking in relation to ability and disability and reconcile some of the tensions navigated by police employees.