Perspective Of Officers Research Articles

The Impact of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Training on Police Officer Confidence in Use of Force Performance: Perceptions from Officers who Train

Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) is a grappling-based martial art that has recently gained traction in the law enforcement community. However, there is limited research on the perceived impact of BJJ training from the perspective of officers who study the art. The purpose of this study was to examine how BJJ training experience impacts officer confidence and gain insight on officer views on the best training methods and techniques for subject control. Results from an online survey of over 300 officers revealed that there were positive correlations between BJJ experience, use of force experience, and perceptions of officer confidence in their defensive tactics. Officers also reported improved stress levels, use of force performance, and fitness levels since they began training. The results also highlight that officers have experienced the benefits of BJJ training, along with other martial arts, in meeting their occupational demands, and value its impact on their work performance.

Eyes on the Truth: Assessing the Use of the Body-Worn Cameras in South Cotabato Provincial Police Office

The use of body-worn cameras by law enforcement has become increasingly prevalent in recent years, with the aim of enhancing accountability, improving police-community relations, and providing valuable evidence for investigations. This study assessed the use of body-worn cameras and alternative recording devices by South Cotabato Provincial Police Office personnel. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining quantitative data analysis and qualitative interviews with selected officers in the South Cotabato Provincial Police Office. The findings revealed that the South Cotabato Provincial Police Office had fully implemented the use of body-worn cameras and alternative recording devices in the execution of warrants and other planned police operations. There are only other police units and police personnel doing routine police activities who do not wear body-worn cameras or alternative recording devices. The PNP personnel also highly complied with the rules on the use of body-worn cameras and alternative recording devices during encounters with a suspect or accused, and their rights were highly observed by the South Cotabato Provincial Police Office. There is a need to provide more budget in the PNP organization to equip all police personnel in the South Cotabato Police Provincial Office with body- worn cameras intended for overt and covert operations. This research study made several contributions to the existing body of knowledge on the use of body-worn cameras by law enforcement agencies in the Philippines. It provides empirical evidence on the implementation and compliance of the South Cotabato Provincial Police personnel, offering valuable insights into the perspectives of police officers. By adopting a mixed-methods approach, the research captured a comprehensive understanding of the challenges, benefits, and opportunities associated with the deployment of this technology in a specific regional setting. The research findings also had direct policy implications, highlighting the need to align the policies of agencies and branches of government, comprehensive training programs, robust data management protocols, and the allocation of a bigger budget for law enforcement programs. Finally, this research adds to the limited body of literature on the use of body-worn cameras in developing countries, where the implementation and evaluation of such technologies may face distinct challenges and opportunities compared to more established contexts. The insights and lessons learned from the South Cotabato Provincial Police Office case study can inform future research and the global discourse on the role of technology in policing and public safety.

“If government is saying the regulations are important, they should be putting in funding to back it up.”- An in-depth analysis of local authority officers’ perspectives of the Food (Promotion and Placement) (England) Regulations 2021

BackgroundAs part of the UK government’s obesity strategy, the Food (Promotion and Placement) (England) Regulations 2021 were implemented in October 2022 to restrict the prominent placement of products high in fat, sugar, or salt (HFSS) in most retail settings. Local authority (LA) officers have been tasked with enforcement of these regulations. This qualitative study examined the perspectives of LA officers including, trading standards, environmental health, and public health officers to understand enforcement approaches and requirements to optimise business compliance with the regulations.MethodsSemi-structured interviews were conducted via MS Teams with a purposive sample of LA officers across England. Data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis.ResultsThe 22 participants comprised 13 officers from Trading Standards, six from Environmental Health, and three from Public Health teams. The key messages include the following: (i) the regulations are complex and do not align with existing enforcement approaches, (ii) officers’ professional background will result in variable enforcement practices, and (iii) compliance assessment is an arduous task. LAs are facing resource and workforce constraints and have to prioritise regulations addressing high health risks (e.g., allergens). Therefore, officers will mostly apply a light touch approach to enforcement, raising awareness and engaging with businesses rather than issuing notices. To develop a consistent enforcement approach across LAs, officers asked for (i) further leadership from central government in the form of funding, training, and tools to determine in-scope businesses and products, (ii) cross-departmental collaboration to raise the regulations’ priority at local and regional levels, and (iii) greater consumer demand for healthier retail environments.ConclusionIt is crucial to address both structural challenges such as resource allocation, workforce, and prioritisation issues as well as the inherent complexity of the regulations to strengthen enforcement efforts. Our findings highlight the necessity of supporting enforcement activities at national and regional government levels to avoid potential false conclusions about ineffectiveness of regulations.

Exploring effective (health) coaching relationships with the long-term unemployed

ABSTRACT This is the first exploratory study that centres on understanding what constitutes effective coaching relationships. Despite existing evidence highlighting the importance of the coaching relationship in achieving successful outcomes, there is limited knowledge on the specific components that make these relationships effective. The purpose of this study is to gain a deeper understanding of the cognitive structures and personal constructs that underpin effective (health) coaching relationships from the perspectives of health coaches, placement officers, and long-term unemployed clients with health restrictions. By employing Personal Construct Psychology and qualitative methods like Repertory Grid Technique, the study seeks to provide deeper insights into how these relationships are construed and what factors contribute to their effectiveness. The analysis identified 27 key themes that contribute to effective coaching relationships, highlighting the importance of relational constructs like trust, empathy, client readiness, and the individualised nature of perceptions, with different factors playing significant roles for different individuals. Repertory Grid Technique and Personal Construct Psychology proved effective in uncovering these cognitive structures. The study’s results offer practical implications for enhancing coaching practices, especially for vulnerable populations.

Bridging The Gap Between Maritime Education and Industry Needs: Enhancing Human Resource Development

This research explores the critical need for maritime vocational education to align more closely with the evolving demands of the maritime industry, particularly in the areas of technological integration, environmental compliance, and industry collaboration. By analyzing the qualitative perspectives of maritime professionals, educators, graduates, and senior government officers, the study identifies key gaps in the current educational framework. The findings highlight the moderate effectiveness of existing programs, with strengths in regulatory knowledge and industry-academia partnerships, but weaknesses in preparing students for advanced technological systems and practical environmental challenges. The study emphasizes the need for curriculum modernization, increased hands-on training, and deeper, long-term industry partnerships to equip future maritime professionals with the skills necessary to navigate a rapidly changing sector. Ultimately, this research provides actionable insights for improving the responsiveness and agility of maritime vocational schools, ensuring that graduates are better prepared for the technological, regulatory, and environmental challenges facing the maritime industry.

The effect of servant leadership on organizational citizenship behavior in the South Korean Police: the mediating roles of psychological empowerment and organizational commitment

PurposeThis study explored the relationship between servant leadership (SL) and organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) from the perspective of South Korean Police officers. We also investigated the mediating roles of psychological empowerment (PE) and organizational commitment (OC).Design/methodology/approachIn this study, the authors analyzed 439 survey responses from South Korean Police officers. The mediation model was tested using structural equation modeling.FindingsThe results showed that SL had a significantly positive influence on OCB among South Korean Police. Moreover, PE and OC partially mediated the relationship between SL and OCB. Officers who perceive their leader as a servant leader are more likely to have a positive perception of OCB. These findings show that PE is a more efficient mediator than OC.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the generalization of knowledge by empirically testing the relationship between SL and OCB in the South Korean Police. The results show that SL theory can be applied to the Korean Police. By capturing the specific characteristics of the Korean Police, such as the powerful effect of PE, this study supports leadership contingency theory.

The Other Side of the Badge: Police as Victims of Violence.

When considering police within violence and victims research, the emphasis typically falls on the police as responders to victims; however, little research has explored the perspective of police officers as victims of violence themselves. Through a systematic literature review of contemporary assaults toward police, 11 empirical articles were identified and analyzed with 4 main themes emerging: the retaliatory nature of police-citizen dynamics, specific predictors of police assaults, environmental features of assaults, and the impact of assaults. These findings provide evidence-based insights, identify research gaps, and help guide future research agendas, ultimately providing a foundational resource for policymakers, law enforcement agencies, and researchers in developing targeted interventions and policies to enhance officers' safety, foster positive police-community relations, and promote a safer and more resilient society.

Remote Learning in Military Higher Education During Covid-19: Challenges and Strategies for Student Officers in Sri Lanka

The COVID-19 pandemic precipitated a global shift in higher education toward remote learning, prompting diverse adaptations to ensure continuity in student education. This transition was particularly impactful in Sri Lanka, where the tri-forces' student officers, crucial for national defense, underwent remote postgraduate studies. This study investigates the challenges, perceptions, and proposed strategies of these officers pursuing the PSC (Master’s degree at Defence Services Command and Staff College) during the pandemic. Grounded in Anderson's Theory and Practice of Online Learning, the research employed a descriptive cross-sectional design, surveying 30 male student officers via an online questionnaire. Results indicate a generally positive reception of remote learning, with 61.9% expressing satisfaction, despite encountering technical barriers, limited peer interaction, motivation issues, and content comprehension difficulties. While 52.4% reported moderate engagement levels, 66.7% acknowledged satisfactory lecturer support. The study suggests enhancing infrastructure, fostering interactive learning environments, and improving teacher-student interaction to mitigate challenges and bolster remote learning effectiveness. Notably, 85.7% of respondents advocate for hybrid learning, blending online and traditional methods. However, limitations include a small, male-only sample, limiting generalizability, and neglecting perspectives of officers with lower IT and English proficiency. Recommendations include policy interventions to enhance teacher-student interaction, promote engagement, and optimize remote learning quality, recognizing its pivotal role in future higher education. This study contributes insights into the challenges and prospects of remote learning in a unique military educational context, informing strategies for its effective implementation amidst crises and beyond.

Bystander actions during police work on the street: officer perspectives

ABSTRACT Studies on bystander behaviour showed that bystanders regularly intervene in conflicts and crime in public in order to de-escalate, yet these studies focus solely on the way citizens manage situations in the absence of police. Bystanders, however, are also present while police officers carry out their work and might help or challenge their performance. Based on 15 interviews with police officers and participant observation during 12 police shifts in the Netherlands, this study provides insights into the way officers perceive bystanders and experience their actions. Police officers describe bystanders as a dilemma they have to face during encounters: they want to convey a positive and fair image of themselves towards bystanders, yet also want to control the situation and show their authority. The diversity of bystander actions and the dilemma’s officers face imply that more attention should be given to bystanders of police action in both research and training.

Perspectives of environmental health officers on climate change adaptation in Australia: a cross-sectional survey

Abstract Aim Climate change adaptation is critical for reducing and preventing many community health risks. The Environmental Health Profession has decades of experience of effective interventions for reducing and preventing many community health risks. However, in Australia adaptation is not included in the profession’s scope of practice leaving the community health at risk to climate change. The aim of this study was to assess the perspectives of Australian Environmental Health Officers concerning climate change health adaptation and whether this should be included in their role. Subject and methods Eighty-nine (89) eligible participants undertook a mixed method survey between November 2021 and January 2022. These participants were members of Environmental Health Australia and held a relevant degree in environmental health. The questions on the survey were related to six themed items: (1) climate change and health, (2) climate change adaptation, (3) the profession’s role in capacity building for adaptation, (4) hurdles for building adaptive capacity, (5) health awareness as a bridging concept and finally, (6) disaster risk reduction. Results The findings from this study indicate that the majority of participants were concerned for their community health from climate change impacts. A system thinking approach is required to effectively address and understand complex health risks. There was also an overwhelming support for the profession to integrate approaches of disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation in health. However, the environmental health profession is facing some significant hurdles to building adaptive capacity to climate change. Conclusion This study demonstrates the environmental health profession does want to have a role in climate change adaptation in Australia. These findings, with further qualitative research, could bolster the preventive public health approach in building community health resilience to climate change and related disasters.

The civilian's dilemma: Civilians exhibit automatic defensive responses to the police.

Interactions between police officers and civilians incur for both police and civilians the possibility of danger due to a nonzero likelihood of encountering a physical threat. A body of work examining the implications of threat processes during police-civilian interactions focuses almost exclusively on the perspective of police officers, under the auspice that police use-of-force decisions stem from perceptions and misperceptions of threat (e.g., research on the shooter bias). Almost no research has examined these dynamics from the perspective of civilians whose encounter with police involves interacting with an armed and potentially dangerous individual. In the current work, we advance the idea that just as police may respond to civilians as threats, civilians may respond to the police as threats. That is, among civilians, encountering the police may evoke a combination of defensive bodily and behavioral responses. Across three studies (N = 603) each utilizing unique measures of defensive behavioral and physiological responding, we found that people more rapidly avoid police than nonpolice, demonstrate enhanced defensive freeze responses to police than nonpolice, and evince larger defensive physiological preparation toward police than nonpolice. In light of these patterns, we discuss the implications of defensive responses for shaping civilian behavior in real-world encounters with the police. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Canadian Youth Correctional Officers' Views on Their Work and Relationships With Youth in Their Care.

This study explored the personal perspectives of youth correctional officers within secure and open custody facilities in Ontario. A multi-methods design allowed for quantitative data collection to assess demographics and scores on a relationship scale and qualitative open-ended survey responses to explore areas of interest regarding officer work. Despite a small sample size (N = 26), results indicated trends in officers' views of their work and relationships with youth. Youth officers report various job duties ranging from supervision/security to cleaning and preparing meals. Results indicate differences in endorsement for relationship development with youth for those who see treatment as part of their role in rehabilitation and those who do not. This exploratory study provides a starting point for understanding the unique experiences and duties of youth correctional officers in Ontario, Canada, and their views on relationship development with youth. Future research will include in-person interviews, facilitating more rich data collection.

Understanding prison living: Mitigating the problem of ‘incompatible’ incarcerated people through the perspectives of correctional officers

AbstractPrisoner incompatibility is a challenge for correctional officers (COs), as incompatible people in prison are more likely to engage in negative interactions, participate in altercations, cause harm to each other and create tension on a unit. Through in‐depth semi‐structured interviews with 28 COs employed in Atlantic Canada, we explore how incompatibility among incarcerated people shapes how incarcerated people are managed and perceived by COs. Engaging the prison design literature, we further examine the kinds of spatial designs and protocols that contribute to, or mitigate, incompatibility. We find that COs describe a complex prison hierarchy that, while being laced with challenges beyond the control of COs, could nevertheless be effectively mitigated through architectural transformation or policy reforms. We highlight the need to consider how prison culture informs and is interpolated through spatial configurations of correctional institutions and how these social and spatial dynamics shape interactions between prisoners.

IDENTIFYING BARRIERS IN PUBLIC SECTOR DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION: A CASE STUDY IN INDONESIA CITY OFFICE FOR POPULATION ADMINISTRATION AND CIVIL REGISTRATION (COPACR) CONTEXT

Purpose: This paper presents a case study of the Surabaya City Office for Population Administration and Civil Registration (COPACR), which is currently undergoing digitization and digital transformation across all its civil registration service lines. This research identifies internal and external barriers relevant to digital transformation in the context of Surabaya COPACR. Theoretical Framework: This study combines qualitative and quantitative methods to identify internal and external barriers relevant to the implementation of digital transformation in the COPACR sector. The barriers are validated through Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) applying the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Expert Choice tools. Priority barriers are determined based on the highest relevance weight values from the perspectives of Top Management and Field Officers. Design/Methodology/Approach: This research adopts an action research methodology, leveraging the researcher's position within the system to directly intervene and facilitate change. A mixed-method approach is employed, combining qualitative and quantitative methodologies. Twenty literature sources are utilized to identify internal and external barriers within public sectors to adopt digital transformation. A total of 63 barriers (33 internal and 30 external) are categorized and their relevance tested through Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). Barrier priorities are selected using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method and expert choice tools. Findings: The Surabaya COPACR in developing countries exhibits characteristics such as low employee motivation, inadequate officer competency, rigid bureaucratic structures, and limited innovation. With these conditions, the internal priorities for adopting digital transformation in Surabaya COPACR include lack of political support, traditional bureaucracy, organizational complexity, and lack of competency. External barriers include inflexible regulations, bureaucracy, lack of data standardization, and inadequate funding allocation. Research, Practical & Social Implications: This research contributes theoretical insights into internal and external priority barriers that need to be considered to adopt digital transformation in the COPACR context of developing countries. The identified barriers can serve as references for public sectors with similar organizational characteristics in developing countries to design strategies for adopting digital transformation effectively. Originality/Value: This study identifies internal and external barriers to digital transformation in the Surabaya COPACR context, involving assessments from both strategic (Top Management) and technical (Field Officer) perspectives.

In-School Suspension Through the Lens of Whiteness as Property: Exploring a School District’s Role in Maintaining Educational Inequality

Despite impacting almost three million students annually, and disproportionately impacting Black students, little is known about district policy and central office staff in the use of in-school suspension. The purpose of this study was to understand how districts use in-school suspension over time, with attention to racial disparities, programmatic changes, and central office perspectives. Case study methods were used to examine in-school suspension in one large school district in the Western United States. Data included two district board school discipline policies, quantitative in-school suspension data, and interviews with central office staff. We found a history of on-going racial disparities for Black and Latinx students and that decisions made by central office about in-school suspension had likely sustained these disparities over time. District policy goals of reducing racial disparities were found to be largely rhetorical in the face of an ethos of non-enforcement. Central office administrators believed they lacked the power to hold school principals accountable for implementing school discipline policy with fidelity to redressing racial disparities. Through the concept of Whiteness as Property, we argue these patterns demonstrated central office administrators’ protection of White educational and political propertied interests above those of educational opportunities for Black and Latinx students. This study contributes to the literature on in-school suspension by finding discrepancies between policy and practice and contributes to the field’s understanding of how school autonomy can undermine equity-oriented school discipline policies through racial negligence.

The effect of organizational justice on police officers’ perception of procedural justice in the South Korea: the mediating roles of perceived discretion and responsiveness

PurposeRecently, the interest of scholars studying procedural justice in policing has shifted from the relationship between procedural justice and citizen compliance to trust in police officers’ perceptions of who exercises it. This study explores the relationship between organizational justice and the perception of procedural justice from the perspective of police officers. Furthermore, it investigates the mediating roles of discretion and responsiveness.Design/methodology/approachUsing 441 survey responses from South Korean police officers, a mediation model is outlined and tested using structural equation modeling (SEM). The results showed that police officers’ perceptions of organizational justice had indirect effects on the perceived importance of procedural justice. Moreover, discretion and responsiveness mediate the relationship between organizational justice and perceived procedural justice.FindingsOfficers who perceive police fairness are more likely to have a positive perception of procedural justice toward citizens when they have a higher level of discretion and responsiveness. However, police officers’ perceptions of organizational justice are not directly linked to their perceptions of procedural justice.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the generalization of knowledge by empirically testing Van Craen’s theoretical model of the Korean police. It also expands the existing theoretical model by investigating the influence of overall organizational justice and its possible mediators on procedural justice.

CIT Training Among Law Enforcement: Does It Work?

The relationship between law enforcement and those with mental illness is severely strained and possibly even broken. But who caused this rift in the relationship? Is law enforcement to blame? Are those with a mental illness to blame? Or, does the issue stem from a bigger problem of deinstitutionalization and negative stigmas that society has against both mentioned populations? The purpose of this study was to dive deeper into the relationship between law enforcement officers and those with mental illness to seek the root cause of the disconnect, as well as what can be done to bridge the gap. Previous research has focused on the law enforcement perspective, focusing on what training (if any) they have for dealing with citizens with mental illnesses as well as how those in law enforcement perceive people with mental illnesses while on the job. These perceptions are yet another possible explanation of the disconnect and could potentially be part of the solution to help mend the break between law enforcement and those suffering from a mental illness. The present study sought to examine the effects that CIT training has on the response outcomes when law enforcement officers respond to those with mental illness. These response outcomes, when ranked by severity, can help to explain the importance of CIT training and its effectiveness, especially when compared to the previous studies data pool of officer perspectives. The results of this study are compelling and create an effortless opening for conversation on a topic that is difficult for many to talk about.

‘Patience, persistence and proportionality’: Probation officer's perspectives of desistance in practice

Desistance from crime is a priority for criminal justice policy and practice yet the term carries varying definitions across research literature. Contemporary discourses promote a refocusing from desistance's representation as an individual's personal journey, to understanding desistance more akin to a social movement. Research has predominantly focused on the lived experience of those striving to achieve desistance, with practitioner perspectives remaining under researched. This study, conducted post COVID-19, aimed to explore and evaluate how probation officers operationalise desistance in practice. Outcomes evidence that whilst practitioners acknowledge the diverse conceptualisations of desistance, it remains a priority in practice, even where the focus is predominantly risk management. Key practice features emerging as essential to promoting desistance include identifying and cultivating a motivation to change, approaches to forming the supervisory relationship and how practitioner's respond when risks increase. A supporting organisational ethos is critical but challenged in the complex post COVID-19 context.

Law enforcement perceptions of job stress and barriers to supportive resources when working child sexual abuse cases in the southern United States

PurposeThe purpose of this paper was to examine law enforcement officers' perspectives on job stress and barriers to supportive resources when working child sexual abuse cases in a large southern state. It is well documented in the literature that professionals who work in healthcare, emergency services and law enforcement face tremendous amounts of stress and consequences to their physical and mental health. Little research has been done to examine how child sexual abuse investigations impact law enforcement, and how these specialized officers perceive access to supportive resources.Design/methodology/approachThis qualitative study was part of a larger quantitative study and included 20 law enforcement officers who participated in anonymous, semi-structured phone interviews.FindingsFindings included (1) child sexual abuse cases are difficult, specialized and disturbing (2) barriers to supportive resources include law enforcement culture, the stigma of asking for help, awareness and accessibility of resources and leadership as gatekeeper to the resources and (3) officers perceive both formal and informal resources to be helpful and at best should be proactively available to all officers in the state. A model of the findings was developed to illustrate the implications for practitioners and scholars.Research limitations/implicationsThis study was not without weaknesses, specifically the small number of participants, volunteer sampling does not represent the general population and the sampling technique means some demographics may have been missed by researchers.Practical implicationsThis study adds to the literature on law enforcement mental health, occupational health and mental health resources. It confirms established research in the literature and provides insight into officer perspectives about barriers that prevent access to informal and formal supports that could improve their emotional well-being.Originality/valueThis study is the first of its kind, to our knowledge, that asks detectives and investigators of child abuse cases about mental health resources. These law enforcement officers are at high-risk for traumatic stress, compassion fatigue and burnout due to the specialized cases they investigate.

Aiding or enabling? Officer perspectives on harm reduction and support services in an open-air drug market

ABSTRACT Police officers are stationed on the frontlines of open-air drug markets and regularly intervene in issues resulting from public drug consumption and overdoses. Police departments are increasingly being asked to adopt harm reduction approaches to deal with the health and safety consequences of drug use. As officer buy-in is essential to intervention success, it is important to assess officer attitudes towards their evolving duties. This study draws on over 400 hours of field observation data with transit officers deployed on an overdose rapid response programme in Philadelphia’s Kensington neighbourhood. Generally, officers were supportive of Narcan for overdose reversal, but some pointed out limitations to its use. Officers also identified how widespread availability of Narcan has changed the local overdose landscape and community response. Officers expressed mixed opinions towards ancillary support via food and clothing distribution by local organisations. They were more supportive of long-term treatment efforts though recognised the rarity of treatment initiation. Findings illuminate a tension in contemporary policing as officers rely less on law enforcement and adapt to harm reduction approaches in their daily work. Their perspectives identify potential benefits to enhanced training and understanding of harm reduction principles among police officers.