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Dealing with hypercritics in corrections

For correctional officers, confronting a toxic coworker could be a matter of life and death

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The hypercritic. There is one in every facility. Hypercritics continuously find petty points to complain about, contributing to staff division and sour interpersonal relations.

Constructive criticism, in moderation, can be useful, but the chronic quibbler is one who takes criticism to the extreme. The correctional officers who operate in this captious manner tend to belittle the job quality of coworkers. They dissect the grammar, spelling, writing, and speaking styles of their peers. If they see a fellow CO engaging in a project that lies outside of the normal duties, the faultfinder steps up their disapproval. There are never accolades from the hypercritic. They are antagonistic, bullying other staff with confrontation, condescension and debate.

Almost every work setting has to deal with this personality type. But the confrontations that arise from the hypercritic are intensified in the corrections fishbowl. The prisoners are watching the watchers. Hypercritics are conspicuous, and prisoners can sense friction between staff, which opens the entire team up to manipulation.

Hypercritics can affect staff in other ways, including an increased use of sick time, stress leave, reassignment or even harassment lawsuits. Hypercritics drive other staff members to drop to the level of the aggressor, leading to an ongoing sparring match. Hypercritics are always fond of a good debate.

COs are often forced to avoid hypercritics, and while this may isolate the antagonist from others, it also chips away at collegial trust, leading to further division.

This is a particular loss if the hypercritic in question is an astute thinker. Their analytical skills would be better utilized in making a concept into a reality through discussion.

So, why do hypercritics complain? We can only speculate. It may be a way to deflect attention, or making others look bad may increase his feeling of adequacy. Hypercritics are often anxious and insecure, and they may have a need to avoid even a moment of silence.

Whatever the cause, in corrections, hypercriticism is dangerous. Hypercritics can be dealt with through calm, constructive criticism.

But before confronting the hypercritic, check yourself. Sometimes we don't see our own modes of operation. Ask yourself, “How do I appear to my colleagues? Am I a hypercritic?" Your object is to confront the hypercritic in a friendly, helpful manner. Finesse and tact are crucial.

Of course, you must be realistic. If the hypercritic is argumentative and competitive, a light touch may only inspire more argument. This is where the would-be reformer should retreat. If you decide to stage an 'intervention', you may be accused of harassment. Always use caution and common sense, and always defer to chain of command. Sometimes our only recourse is to authority.

All staff are valuable, but the moment we start treating our colleagues as problems, we enable prisoners to manipulate. We are all partners in making a safe facility, as free from discord as possible. The true corrections professional will maintain rapport with even the most challenging of colleagues.

Editor's note: This related video by James Shanahan, a PoliceOne columnist, offers some excellent tips for corrections and police officers on reducing their ego in an environment when they often have a tremendous amount of power.