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Date: November 22, 2024 Fri
Time: 11:49 am
Time: 11:49 am
Results for police culture
7 results foundAuthor: Chambers, Linda Title: An Investigation of Police Officers Bereaved by Police Suicides Summary: Police suicide represents a major threat to police departments because police officers are at least 8 times more likely to die from suicide than from accidental death. The problem addressed was a lack of organized, authentic suicide prevention programs in core training for police officers. The purpose of this study was threefold: first, to add to the existing body of literature on police suicide; second, to show how seemingly disconnected aspects of law enforcement such as training and police culture are interrelated; and third, explore the need for prevention and intervention strategies. There were 4 research questions used to address: (a)?the impact of a police suicide on fellow officers, (b)?suicide prevention training, (c)?suicide warning signs, and (d)?contingency plans for suicide prevention. The method used was phenomenological interviewing. Collected data were grouped in categorical dimensions using NVivo7 software. Data were coded by using various nodes within NVivo7 to explore content and list detailed hierarchy such as unsolved domestic problems, and suicide intervention training. This helped identify patterns of relationships that described emergent themes. For instance, insufficient training served as a catalyst for participants to educate themselves on suicide prevention. Results were based on emergent themes that illustrated the need for ongoing prevention training. Findings will benefit law enforcement officers and communities they serve, and police leaders will be better informed about the significance of suicide prevention training. This knowledge might solidify the relevance of exposing officers to suicide prevention programs to reduce the incidence of police suicide. Details: Walden University, 2008. 177p. Source: Available at the Don M. Gottfredson Library of Criminal Justice, Rutgers University Year: 2008 Country: United States URL: Shelf Number: 123668 Keywords: BereavementPolice CulturePolice Suicides |
Author: Bradford, Ben Title: Self-Legitimacy, Police Culture and Support for Democratic Policing in an English Constabulary Summary: When do police officers feel confident in their own authority? What factors influence their sense of their own legitimacy? What is the effect of such 'self-legitimacy' on the way they think about policing? This paper addresses these questions using a survey of police officers working in an English constabulary. We find that the most powerful predictor of officers' confidence in their own authority is identification with their organization, itself something strongly associated with perceptions of the procedural justice of senior management. A greater sense of self-legitimacy is in turn linked to greater commitment to 'democratic' modes of policing. Finally, we find that this sense of legitimacy is embedded in a matrix of identities and cultural adaptations within the police organization. Details: Oxford, UK: Centre for Criminology, University of Oxford, 2014. 21p. Source: Internet Resource: Oxford Legal Studies Research Paper No. 14/2014; Accessed March 20, 2014 at: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2406350 Year: 2014 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2406350 Shelf Number: 131984 Keywords: Police CulturePolice Legitimacy |
Author: Cosgrove, Faye Marie Title: An Appreciative Ethnography of PCSOs in a Northern City Summary: Previous research regarding the emergence of Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) has either been impact oriented (Cooper et al, 2006, Chatterton and Rowland 2005, Crawford et al, 2004) or has been concerned with their capacity to improve equality and diversity within public policing (Johnston, 2006). Despite the recent civilianisation of the patrol function (Crawford and Lister, 2004a) and increasing recognition of multiple police subcultures within the police force (Reuss Ianni, 1983, Chan, 1997, Foster, 2003), there has been little attention directed towards understanding PCSO working practices and decision making, their capacity to deliver reassurance or to the potential emergence of a distinct PCSO occupational subculture within the police organisation as a result of their differential role, remit and limited authority. This study aims to critically examine the existence and characteristics of a PCSO occupational culture and its influence upon the delivery of neighbourhood policing within a northern police force. Underpinned by an appreciative ethnographic approach (Liebling and Price, 2001), it provides an original contribution to understanding the operation of PCSOs and to existing theoretical knowledge and understanding of police (sub)cultures within the context of civilianisation and police reform. The research involved three hundred hours of participant observation of PCSO working practices, individual interviews with twelve PCSOs and two focus groups with neighbourhood police officers across two police sectors of a northern police force. The study revealed two key findings. Firstly, whilst PCSOs are able to deliver reassurance to 'vulnerable' and 'respectable' residents within target communities, the pursuit of reassurance is secondary to the demands of crime control. The pull of the performance culture and high levels of public demand for service cause PCSOs to become increasingly utilised as a reactive resource and to be deployed in tasks falling outside their remit. Second, represented as a three-fold typology of PCSO culture, the study thus provides evidence of an emerging PCSO subculture within the police organisation. Widely held aspirations to become police officers amongst PCSOs combined with an emphasis upon and value attached to crimefighting within the dominant police culture (Reiner, 2000) leads to the construction of a PCSO occupational culture that is both similar to and distinct from police officers. PCSOs endorse characteristics of the dominant culture, including suspicion, solidarity and sense of mission in their efforts to either imitate police officers or support future applications to become police officers. However, their civilian status, limited authority and differential occupational environment also lead to the construction of distinct cultural characteristics and orientations to the role. Details: Newcaastle upon Tyne, UK: Northumbria University, 2011. 354p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed July 7, 2014 at: http://nrl.northumbria.ac.uk/4456/1/cosgrove.faye_phd.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://nrl.northumbria.ac.uk/4456/1/cosgrove.faye_phd.pdf Shelf Number: 132626 Keywords: Police CulturePolice ReformPolicing |
Author: Chan, Shannon M. Title: Negotiating Gender and Police Culture: Exploring the Barriers to Retention and Progression of Female Police Officers in New Zealand Summary: Women officers represent a minority within the New Zealand Police (Police) particularly within the senior ranks. In recent years, Police have made concerted efforts to increase women's representation as well as improve the working environment. However, recent reviews of the 2007 Commission of Inquiry into Police Conduct have reported that women continue to face barriers to full integration and furthermore, that the changes to the police culture have reached a plateau. New Zealand and international research have established that police culture continues to pose a barrier to women's full acceptance within policing. This culture is characterised by predominantly white, heterosexual males, who form what has been described as a "cult of masculinity". Therefore, women find they must adopt the culture in order to "fit in" and be accepted as "one of the boys". Adopting a qualitative framework, this research involved semi-structured face-to-face interviews with sworn female police officers. Exploring female police officers' experiences identified five pertinent barriers to women's retention and progression. These were the emphasis on physical skills and excitement, the police camaraderie and the cult of masculinity, sexual harassment within the workplace, women's minority status, and balancing motherhood with policing. It was found that the persistence of these barriers came back to core features of police culture. Due to the strong allegiance to the positive aspects of the police culture, such as the camaraderie, negative features such as sexual banter and harassment were subsumed within the wider culture. Negative features were tolerated and accepted as part and parcel of working in the Police. Women's narratives demonstrated that they adhered to core police culture features and thus contributed to the sustenance of the culture. Furthermore, how women articulated their experiences and perceptions of barriers was complex and nuanced. Many held the belief that there were no longer any barriers for women in the Police, yet such positive views were in contradiction with their own experiences. The tension between "perceptions" and "reality" creates a situation where the Police currently sit at a crossroads between the "old" culture and the new rhetoric of "change". Details: Wellington, NZ: Victoria University of Wellington, 2013. 171p. Source: Internet Resource: Thesis: Accessed February 23, 2015 at: http://researcharchive.vuw.ac.nz/xmlui/bitstream/handle/10063/2984/thesis.pdf?sequence=2 Year: 2013 Country: New Zealand URL: http://researcharchive.vuw.ac.nz/xmlui/bitstream/handle/10063/2984/thesis.pdf?sequence=2 Shelf Number: 134663 Keywords: Female Police Officers (New Zealand)Police CulturePolice Recruitment and Selection |
Author: Hamer, Kenneth Title: Review of the Selection and Appointments Process of Independent Members of Police Authorities Summary: This Review arises from the third round of appointments of independent members of police authorities. The Police and Magistrates’ Courts Act 1994, and the Police Act 1996, made major changes in the composition of the membership of police authorities, and for the first time introduced the concept of independent members for the 41 police authorities in England and Wales outside London. The first round of appointments was made for 4 years from April 1995, followed by subsequent rounds in 1999 and 2003. There are currently 210 independent members of police authorities in England and Wales excluding the Metropolitan Police Authority, which has a different time-scale and where the next appointments round will take place in April 2004. This Review is concerned with evaluating the recent round of appointments outside London, lessons which may be drawn from the selection and appointments process, a consideration of the current legislation of provisions, and recommendations for improvements to enhance the skills base, diversity and fair practice of appointment of independent members to reflect the interests of a wide cross-section of the community in the police area. Details: London: Home Office Communication Directorate, 2004. 200p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 11, 2015 at: http://www.hendersonchambers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/pdf/police-authorities.pdf Year: 2004 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.hendersonchambers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/pdf/police-authorities.pdf Shelf Number: 134890 Keywords: Police CulturePolice Recruitment and Selection Policing (U.K.) |
Author: Alpert, Geoffrey P. Title: Measuring the impact of organisational culture and climate on police officers' decisions and behaviour Summary: The behaviour of police officers, particularly those at the operational frontline, attracts a high level of public scrutiny with frequent calls for increased accountability. The results of negative behaviour, or perceived faulty or biased decision-making, can affect the reputation of the whole organization and leave an enduring impression upon the public. Understanding the influences on police officer decision-making and behaviour, particularly those that an organization can change or control, can lead to optimal behaviour, improved police effectiveness and enhanced public confidence. This Working Paper looks at the police as an organization, and the influences on positive and negative officer decision making and behaviour, specifically detailing concepts of organizational culture and climate. Approaches to the measurement of these are outlined and the discussion concludes by proposing a mixed-method approach to understanding police culture to improve police behaviour. The behaviours of police vehicle accidents and the use of force are presented as examples to illustrate the approach Details: Mt Gravatt, QLD. : ARC Centre of Excellence in Policing and Security, 2012. 10p. Source: Internet Resource: Working Paper, Issue 1: Accessed March 19, 2015 at: http://www.ceps.edu.au/CMS/Uploads/file/GAlpert_JRojek_LPorter_issue1.pdf Year: 2012 Country: International URL: http://www.ceps.edu.au/CMS/Uploads/file/GAlpert_JRojek_LPorter_issue1.pdf Shelf Number: 134974 Keywords: Police AccountabilityPolice BehaviorPolice CulturePolice Decision-MakingPolice Effectiveness |
Author: Shjarback, John Title: Cops, Culture, and Context: The Integration of Structural and Cultural Elements for Explanations of Police Use of Force Summary: This dissertation integrates concepts from three bodies of literature: police use of force, neighborhood/ecological influence on police, and police culture. Prior research has generally found that neighborhood context affects police use of force. While scholars have applied social disorganization theory to understand why neighborhood context might influence use of force, much of this theorizing and subsequent empirical research has focused exclusively on structural characteristics of an area, such as economic disadvantage, crime rates, and population demographics. This exclusive focus has occurred despite the fact that culture was once an important component of social disorganization theory in addition to structural factors. Moreover, the majority of the theorizing and subsequent research on police culture has neglected the potential influence that neighborhood context might have on officers' occupational outlooks. The purpose of this dissertation is to merge the structural and cultural elements of social disorganization theory in order to shed light on the development and maintenance of police officer culture as well as to further specify the relationship between neighborhood context and police use of force. Using data from the Project on Policing Neighborhoods (POPN), I address three interrelated research questions: 1) does variation of structural characteristics at the patrol beat level, such as concentrated disadvantage, homicide rates, and the percentage of minority citizens, predict how an officer views his/her occupational outlook (i.e., culture)?; 2) do officers who work in the same patrol beats share a similar occupational outlook (i.e., culture) or is there variation?; and 3) does the inclusion of police culture at the officer level moderate the relationship between patrol beat context and police use of force? Findings suggest that a patrol beat's degree of concentrated disadvantage and homicide rate slightly influence officer culture at the individual level. Results show mixed evidence of a patrol beat culture. There is little support for the idea that characteristics of the patrol beat and individual officer culture interact to influence police use of force. I conclude with a detailed discussion of the methodological, theoretical, and policy implications as well as limitations and directions for future research. Details: Tempe, AZ: Arizona State University, 2016. 280p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed August 26, 2016 at: https://repository.asu.edu/items/39457 Year: 2016 Country: United States URL: https://repository.asu.edu/items/39457 Shelf Number: 140045 Keywords: Neighborhoods and CrimePolice AccountabilityPolice CulturePolice DiscretionPolice Use of Force |