Police culture and gender: an evaluation of police officers' practices and responses to domestic abuse

Deisy Carrillo

doi:10.13169/jglobfaul.8.1.0069

Abstract

This research reviews police officers' practices and responses to domestic abuse, which since the mid-1980s has been a central topic of debate amongst scholars, campaigners and policymakers. The last four decades have seen a growing body of research and government inquiries that focus specifically on officers' procedures and perception of gender-based crimes, such as domestic abuse. Nevertheless, many questions remain unanswered, or at least contested, including the extent to which police officers can influence how domestic abuse incidents are reported and recorded. In this context, studies in the field have revealed that many different factors can impact officers' behaviours, including lack of knowledge of the dynamics of the crime, misogynistic views, cultural beliefs and gender stereotypes, which are deep-rooted in social norms. These attitudes and traditional gender views are extremely concerning when they are held by some male officers, as males are over-represented in the police force and they play a pivotal role in the fight against domestic abuse.

Highlights

In contemporary society, domestic abuse is a public health issue that affects the lives of many adults and adolescents within an intimate relationship
The latest data gathered by the Crime Survey for England and Wales maintains that women are more likely to be domestic abuse victims (Office for National Statistics, 2019)
This study investigates the extent to which the masculine police culture could impact interventions, processes and domestic abuse outcomes

Summary

Introduction

Domestic abuse is a public health issue that affects the lives of many adults and adolescents within an intimate relationship. The latest data gathered by the Crime Survey for England and Wales (which are the most accurate figures available to outline the scale of domestic abuse crimes) maintains that women are more likely to be domestic abuse victims (Office for National Statistics, 2019). The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime report concluded that an intimate partner or ex-partner is highly likely (58%) to be responsible for female homicide victims—highlighting that the family home is the most unsafe place for women (UNODC, 2018). In 2015, research by SafeLives concluded that 85% of victims pursued help from the police and support agencies, and did so, on average, five times in twelve months before they got assistance to escape or end the abuse. Responses and attitudes to domestic abuse will be evaluated from a female perspective, considering traditional cultural sets to understand policing procedures

Domestic abuse background

Police occupational characteristics

Policing domestic abuse

Findings

The police use of discretion