Police Culture Research Articles

Sexism and misogyny as traits of police culture: Problems, red flags and solutions

The aim of this article is to utilise pre-existing literature to explore the problems of misogyny and sexism currently found to be operating within the police service, and to provide recommendations around reform. This article analyses problems associated with sexism and misogyny at a time of media scrutiny following the Baroness Casey Review of the Metropolitan Police culture, which identifies these concepts as an institutional problem that can impact upon female police officers and women in general. The article begins by highlighting the importance of understanding the differences between sexism and misogyny and then reviews potential strategies towards police reform. These changes include a review of policy and law, use of education, leadership changes, reform to the Police Complaints and Discipline system, male peer support and more-effective whistleblowing processes. The article concludes by establishing that all strategies are worthy of consideration to reform a negative police culture. It also acknowledges that failures to respond to the challenges of dealing with misogyny and sexism effectively, will result in the strengthening of a police culture that continues to damage the police’s reputation and public trust and which will consequently affect all who are victim and witness to this behaviour.

Threats to Blue Networks: The Effect of Partner Injuries on Police Misconduct

Police culture creates an “us versus them” dynamic, which, at its worst, treats threats to the “thin blue line” as worthy of group response. Prior research documents such a group threat process as a possible mechanism for police misconduct, but few studies have analyzed the precise network relationships that serve as the conduit for a misconduct response. Using data on misconduct, officer injuries, and officer networks within the Chicago Police Department (CPD) between 2004 and 2015, this study examines the extent to which injuries officers receive from civilians might elicit a misconduct response from officers’ peers, and especially their direct network associates. Findings demonstrate that network ties to injured officers predict higher levels of subsequent misconduct, especially for officers with stronger ties to the injured officer. Furthermore, the effects of peer injury on subsequent misconduct are contingent on the race of the suspect involved: officers whose peers are injured are linked to more use of excessive force, as well as other types of misconduct, when the suspects involved are Black. These findings support our central hypothesis of a networked group threat response that links peer injuries to police misconduct.

Book Review - Breaking the Barriers Changing the Way We Support the Physical and Mental Health of Police Officers

In Breaking the Barriers Changing the Way We Support the Physical and Mental Health of Police Officers, Ronald A Rufo, EdD, uses personal stories as well as interviews with fellow officers and mental health providers to explain how the police culture and calls police officers handle in their careers create stress and mental health issues. Rufo identifies the responses to those stressors and solutions to address the identified mental health challenges. The book closes with thoughts and recommendations from many of the police officers and mental health professionals interviewed for the book. In the last few years, law enforcement administrators, mental health providers, and legislatures have placed a higher priority on addressing mental health issues among law enforcement officers. In addition, recruitment and retention has been a challenge for most agencies. By addressing police officers mental health, a department can develop healthy and more resilient officers. This benefits the officer, their family, and ultimately the citizens served by the officer.

Transformasi Organisasi pada Budaya Organisasi Polri Menuju Polri Presisi

The Indonesian National Police (INP) should become a professional, credible, accountable, transparent based on the principles of Democratic Policing. This research uses qualitative approach with case study as a research method which uses sources such as documents, books, and other related literatures. From several evaluation research show that there are lots of efforts for organisational transformation which experience failures although the INP have chosen many strategies, planning and resources as well as strong administrative commitments. Threats to the success of transformation within the organisation may emerge whether from the inside or outside. The political will in a bureaucratical field and willingness of the public which is the initiative and capability to support the INP's transformation becomes the primary key in actualising the INP that is Presisi. It is a utopia if the transformation of the INP in becoming an ideal national police comes solely from internal INP efforts. This research's recommendations are: the public must be involved actively in all processes of transformation, the need to strengthen organisational culture, moral and ethics of police, the empowerment of human resources which are based on science, and the process of transformation must be followed through continuous monitoring and evaluation.

Workplace Discrimination and Strain Theory: A Case of District Okara Police Force

This study investigates the impact of workplace discrimination on gender job satisfaction, with a particular focus on police officers in District Okara including DepalPur, Renala Khurd, and Okara. Additionally, we examine how work environment, police culture, thread, and harassment contribute to gender job satisfaction and the adoption of strain theory. The research is based on a sample of 440 District Okara police officers, and primary data was collected through a questionnaire survey. Descriptive statistics, Correlation Coefficient, regression analysis, F-test, multivariate Generalized Linear Model (GLM), and two-way ANOVA were employed for data analysis using SPSS and R software. Minitab, Amos used for graphical representation. The study aims to shed light on the relationship between workplace discrimination and gender job satisfaction among District Okara police officers, especially considering the experiences of female officers. It was observed that both female and male officers face workplace discrimination. Notably, female officers exhibited higher levels of job dissatisfaction compared to their male counterparts. These findings are crucial for promoting gender equality and creating a supportive work environment in the District Okara police force.

Perceptions of student officers of the police constable degree apprenticeship

In 2016, policing in England and Wales became a degree-entry profession. The pathway for those entering the service without a pre-existing degree is the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA). Due its novelty, there is little extant research surrounding its efficacy. This study gathered perceptions of PCDA officers through a mix of quantitative and qualitative data and thematic analysis, finding that the programme is viewed quite negatively, but this is improving over time. The negativity is largely influenced by a police culture and hierarchy both reluctant to change and facing significant operational pressures hindering students’experience.

How the police conceptualise and view the relevance of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) for policing: a qualitative investigation

PurposeKnowledge about the prevalence and impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) is pivotal to trauma-informed approaches, yet the impact of ACEs training is rarely investigated. This study reports a qualitative investigation of police perceptions of ACEs training in relation to conceptualisations of ACEs and trauma-informed working, practical applications of ACE knowledge and service-level support.Design/methodology/approachFour focus groups were conducted with 29 police officers, who had participated in an ACEs-awareness training. Based on the qualitative data, themes were generated using reflexive thematic analysis (Braun and Clarke, 2019).FindingsAnalysis generated seven themes, conceptualised into three domains of conceptual understanding, police culture and operationalising ACEs.Research limitations/implicationsThe sample is limited to Scottish police officers and is ethnically non-diverse. Further evaluation of higher quality interventions is warranted.Practical implicationsThe study highlighted that a lack of conceptual framework, officer concerns and police culture may present barriers to officers incorporating ACEs knowledge into their day-to-day work. Future trainings should address these issues to achieve maximum benefits.Originality/valueTo the authors’ knowledge, this is the first in-depth qualitative study of police officers' perceptions of ACEs training. Focus groups facilitated the expression of cultural norms. The results provide insight into tailoring trauma-informed interventions in police in future, as well as raising broader service-level issues.

International Law Enforcement Observer XI.

Aim: The presentation of foreign literature on law enforcement is a basic task of Rendészeti Figyelő. This time, however, we would like to provide students of Law Enforcement Doctoral School with direct methodological assistance in order to help them to draw from foreign language sources as effectively as possible when developing their research topics and writing their dissertations. With this commitment, the reviews of Árpád Budavári and Zsolt Lippai are given space. Both have chosen valuable foreign sources for their doctoral thesis topics.Methodology: Among the methodological innovations in the world scientific literature, this Figyelő offers fresh ideas in two areas. Gergely Hlavacska draws attention to the following: "Drug policy (drug control) ... is shifting away from traditional criminal justice solutions towards harm reduction. This is reflected in the increasing number of diversionary schemes coordinated by the police as an alternative to criminalisation." Drug policy is seen as part of a law enforcement strategy, in which the decisive factor is the choice of the political forces that have gained power in government between pro-strength and pro-aid regimes. Hlavacska's review outlines a pattern in which a smart response to crime listens to the opinions of police professionals. The liquidation of illegal drug market bases is one of the most difficult areas, where really big successes are rare. The criminologists of the fight against drugs know that failures against distribution networks are not mitigated by the exposure of consumers. Police culture has plenty of experience of how justice often penalises those who are victims rather than perpetrators of drug crime. The second methodological lesson emerges in the work of Ákos Erdélyi, who points out that the militarisation of policing is not exclusively a subject of research in police or defence studies. "The process of militarisation has, by its very nature, in the vast majority of cases been examined from some police science or defence policy perspective; the authors of this study, however, are representatives of psychology..." The researchers arrived at these findings through extensive use of well-designed questionnaires.Findings: In drug strategies, the curative (medicalising) tendencies can be strengthened where police experience is matched by sufficient professional authority, which can only be put to good use by the democratic functioning of political power. The military or civilian nature of law enforcement personnel can provoke controversial reactions from the public: "The results show that the public tends to have negative attitudes towards officers wearing certain militarised attire, including in terms of approachability, confidence and morality. At the same time, public perception is that these officers are stronger, more confident and more prepared for threatening behaviour/dangerous situations." Tamás Skorka gives an example of war communication, reporting on a study that presents the inhuman world of Russian aggression against Ukraine.Value: The studies show that law enforcement authorities involved in maintaining public order and safeguarding public security require an internal and multidisciplinary assessment of their activities, which can significantly improve the professional quality of law enforcement services and enhance their social acceptance.

“Exploring police officers’ perceptions of their female colleagues in Uttar Pradesh, India: a phenomenological analysis”

ABSTRACT This study aimed to explore Indian police officers’ perceptions of their female colleagues through Bourdieu and Chan’s framework of habitus, practice, field, and capital. We interviewed 12 police officers in Allahabad, India, who were recruited through purposive and snowball sampling. We translated, transcribed and coded their interviews from Hindi to English. Applying Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis, we identified two major themes: (1) the work of women is consistently devalued in policing culture; and (2) patriarchal sentiments influence police officers’ views towards their female colleagues. This study expands our understanding of the prevalent gender bias against female police officers in India. Findings may assist in redesigning policies and interventions that reduce gender bias and discrimination within Indian police organisations.

Police victims of domestic abuse: barriers to reporting victimisation

ABSTRACT Policing is the institution responsible for protecting victims of domestic abuse and the institution to which victimisation is formally reported. The police workforce, therefore, are routinely exposed to domestic abuse victimisation, perpetration and its consequences. When police themselves become victims of domestic abuse, the interaction between personal and professional identity and cultures may exacerbate the harms of victimisation and discourage victims from reporting victimisation. In this study, we describe themes that emerged from accounts of reporting and not reporting domestic abuse by police officers and staff in an English police force. Through the lenses of victimology theory and police culture theory, we describe how there appears to be few protective components of working in policing and several adverse consequences for victims. Reporting was impeded by difficulty recognising abuse and experiencing feelings of shame in a way similar to that of many non-police victims. These common obstacles were exacerbated by a conflict between police and victim identities, by significant concern about formal and informal violations of privacy by colleagues and by worry about potential damage to their career. These challenges were particularly acute when the perpetrator also worked in policing. The paper concludes with a call for researchers, policy makers and policing to recognise and respond to the unique vulnerabilities inherent in the police-victim overlap.

Gender and Sexual Minorities in the Armed and Police Forces: Perceptions and Mental Health Implications of Portuguese Militaries—A Qualitative Study

The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions toward gender and sexual identities in the Portuguese armed and police forces, emphasizing on mental health implications. A qualitative research methodology was followed, using an electronic inquiry answered by 64 participants who are members of the Portuguese armed or police forces. Data were examined using thematic analysis, and the recurrent themes identified were the following: general characteristics of the military/police environment and culture, sexist attitudes and behaviors, positive attitudes and behaviors related to sexuality, homophobic/heterosexist attitudes and behaviors, influence of military and police culture on the expression of sexuality and coping of sexual minorities, negative impact of military and police culture on the mental health of gender and sexual minorities, and personal opinion regarding how sexual and gender diversity should be addressed in the armed and police forces. Analysis of these themes provides insight into the perceptions and experiences of our participants and suggests that the impact of stigma and discrimination toward gender and sexual minorities in this context was relevant for the individuals within this sample.

Assessing the relationship between officers' broad cultural attitudes and their situational perceptions of firearm danger

PurposeThe focus of the current study is to assess whether officers' broad attitudinal orientations are linked with their situational perceptions of danger in various armed citizen encounters.Design/methodology/approachThe authors draw on survey data from 672 officers employed at a large metropolitan police department. The police culture literature is used to inform measures of occupational stress, danger, citizen distrust, views of upper management, and role orientation in relation to how officers perceive danger across a series of scenarios involving armed citizens that varied in terms of firearm placement and citizen resistance. Along with a host of control variables, a series of multivariate models are used to evaluate the degree to which these aggregated cultural views may shape officers' situational perceptions of danger.FindingsThe results indicate that a stronger endorsement of broad attitudinal orientations involving occupational danger and citizen distrust are linked with higher perceptions of danger in armed-citizen encounters, especially as the situations become more discretionary.Originality/valueEmpirical research related to police culture has typically relied upon highly aggregated assessments of how officers view their occupational and organizational work environments. However, yet to be explored is whether these broad views impact officers' assessments of specific encounters, particularly those that are dangerous in nature. The findings from this study also have the potential to inform ambiguous use of force standards that are heavily influenced by officers' situational assessments of danger.

Applying the terror management theory to active shooter events: Explaining the police response

After the active shooting incident in Columbine, Colorado, the police response to these events changed. Rather than have the first responding officers secure the perimeter and wait for a special weapons and tactics team, police officers have been trained to move quickly to engage and neutralize a shooter. The expectation is that an officer will prioritize the lives of victims over their own. This approach is contrary to the police culture of surviving dangerous encounters. This article presents a discussion of terror management theory as a possible explanation for why some officers may fail to perform according to contemporary expectations, and why some officers may willingly place themselves in positions in which their lives are threatened. This examination is followed by a discussion of policy and research implications.

Evaluating Predictors and Outcomes of Emotional Exhaustion and Depersonalization for Women Officers

The purpose of this study is to examine the predictors and consequences of two dimensions of burnout, emotional exhaustion, and depersonalization, among 1,531 women officers serving in 83 law enforcement agencies. Studying burnout is vital to building support systems that can help women thrive in law enforcement. The findings show that a substantial number of women officers experience exhaustion and depersonalization and that reducing job demands, discrimination, and tokenism are critically important to reducing burnout. The results also highlight the potentially detrimental consequences of burnout, particularly depersonalization, on attitudes about misconduct and physical force, as well as commitment to the organization. We conclude by discussing how organizations can reduce burnout among women officers by changing policies and practices to place a concern for diversity and equality for women at the center of police culture.

The Police Culture in Pakistan; An Ethical Evaluation

This research investigates the intricate and multifaceted aspects of the culture and ethical considerations inside the police force in Pakistan. The operational conduct of the police force is shaped by a variety of historical, cultural, and institutional influences, which contribute to the cultivation of a strong sense of duty, professionalism, and dedication to ensuring public safety. Nevertheless, there are ongoing obstacles that continue to exist, including issues like as corruption, the misuse of authority, a lack of transparency and responsibility, as well as occurrences of excessive force by law enforcement. Furthermore, the presence of problems pertaining to racial profiling, racism, and discrimination underscores the imperative of ensuring equitable treatment for every individual. In order to tackle these challenges, a range of strategies are being employed, including the implementation of training programs, the establishment of accountability systems, the initiation of community engagement projects, and the enactment of policy reforms. The establishment of a long-term dedication and cooperation between the police force, government entities, civil society organizations, and the general public is imperative in order to enhance the culture and ethics within the police force, restore public confidence, and cultivate efficient service and protection for the community.

PERTANGGUNGJAWABAN POLRI TERHADAP PENYALAHGUNAAN SENJATA DALAM BERTUGAS

Law enforcement is a government agency that controls those who commit violations, one of which is the police. The police are taken from a Greek word, namely politie, which means the entire city-state government, so it goes from that word that the police are used to refer to a part of the government. In Indonesia, the police are a government agency or institution whose job is to arrest people who disobey or violate laws and so on. Regarding the distribution of powers from the police, it was adjusted to the division that originated from the previous Japanese military era, so that after that a police reorganization was held in 1994. Law no. 2 of 2002 stipulates that the duties of the police are to maintain order, obey the law and uphold and maintain public order. Because the goal of a rule of law is to serve the interests of the people, the interests of the government and the people unite, and they fight together, in this case the police take their point of departure from the people, serving the people. . with the people for the people. That is, citizens enjoy various rights and opportunities in all matters relating to the administration of government institutions, including the police and their vehicles. The status, role and duties of the Polri have changed and developed from the beginning to the present. These changes or developments have a significant impact on law enforcement efforts. These changes include socio-cultural changes. Police culture also transforms the values, beliefs, rules, norms, behaviors, and customs that make up police culture, and are often a combination of formal justice and the actions of the police, as well as those in informal organizations.

The limits of ‘professionalisation from above’: On the ‘re-professionalisation’ of street-level policing in England

The occupation of policing is in crisis. Criticism of police failings has created intense pressure for the traditional ‘occupational closure’ model of policing as a craft to be replaced by new ‘professional’ models associated with ‘evidence-based policing’, harm reduction, risk management and vulnerability. Various change initiatives have amounted to the ‘re-professionalisation’ of policing, whereby previous models of police professionalism based on craft, discretion and judgement have been abandoned and replaced by new protocols, guidelines and enhanced external scrutiny. This article explores how these changes are interpreted by operational police officers, using qualitative interviews and ethnographic fieldwork to explore officers’ application and understanding of the new requirements. Whereas some literature argues that ‘police culture’ remains largely unchanged, our data illustrate how officers’ daily routines are in a state of enforced flux. While there was some limited support for the rationale for change, officers were highly critical of the practical implementation of policing vulnerability, were sceptical of the new doctrine of ‘professionalism’, and resentful of new managerial controls and priorities. This does not amount to the stubborn persistence of a ‘reform-proof’ police culture. Rather, officers described substantial change to the everyday culture and practice of policing, in ways they regard as confused, self-defeating and unworkable. We argue that professionalisation imposed ‘from above’ via dogmatic managerial logic can have detrimental implications for occupations and the public they serve.

A rendőrségi kultúra és annak átadása a rendőri szervezeteken belül

Aim: To study the way in which cop culture is transmitted, by examining the phenomena and cases that have been identified in the main areas of police culture: professional characteristics, values, canteen culture, code of silence.Methodology: The author uses qualitative research, document and content analysis.Findings: Research in the main areas of cop culture shows that deviant behaviour is rarely achieved by immediate action, by showing 'example'. One possible mode of transmission is mainly through verbalisation, which may be a kind of testing phase, followed by deviant behaviour. The detection of such cases is made more difficult by the characteristics of the police profession – (uncritical) loyalty, need for trust, conformity or empathy – thus helping to maintain and reproduce an inappropriate cop culture.Value: Describes the role of morale in cop culture and police profession.

From Acculturation to Transculturation?: Police Culture Change in the Pluralized Crime Investigation Department

Abstract This article uses the concept of transculturation (Ortiz 1944) as a lens to examine the effects of civilianization on the (re)production of ‘detective culture’ in two police forces in England. It critiques acculturation as the principal framework for understanding the complexity of cultural (ex)change processes happening within pluralized police settings. By bridging police studies with postcolonial theory, this article provides an innovative account of cultural (re)production under conditions of modernization, specifically, within the context of contemporary crime investigation. The original findings presented reveal the subtle yet active role played by civilian investigators in this process. The article concludes by challenging criminologists to explore the explanatory potential of transculturation in other areas of criminal justice, both in the United Kingdom and internationally.

Working for both sides: how organised crime networks influence Mexican police culture

ABSTRACT It is now established that elements in policing bodies’ socio-political environments influence officers’ beliefs, values, and attitudes. Paradoxically, however, the prevailing view within mainstream research is that police communities are also inward-facing entities that are withdrawn from the cultural context outside their realm. One limitation of this perspective is that it precludes researchers from examining how entities from this ‘outer world’ intermingle with policing bodies as well as how this interaction impacts upon manifestations of police culture. In Mexico criminal and police networks appear to be highly interconnected. Indeed, numerous members of Mexico’s law enforcement institutions are active participants in the web-like ties that connect individuals involved in the country’s criminal enterprises. By analysing the narratives of former members of Mexico’s Federal Police, I contend that officers’ perceptions of the intermingling between police and organised crime networks shape the culture of law-enforcement groups tasked with combating organised crime.