Protest policing by black police officers: double marginality and collateral consequences

2020 ◽  
Vol 43 (4) ◽  
pp. 659-673
Author(s):  
Tammy Rinehart Kochel
Keyword(s):  
Police Officers ◽  
Collateral Consequences ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Protest Policing ◽  
Black Police ◽  
Self Assessments ◽  
Black Officers ◽  
The 1960S ◽  
Minority Officers ◽  
The Impact

PurposeDrawing from representative bureaucracy theory, hiring minority police officers has been a perpetual reform recommendation for improving tense police-community relationships with minority communities since the 1960s. The expectation is that minority officers will provide active/symbolic representation, but little is known about minority officers' experiences during racially tense situations. This paper examines whether black officers experienced double marginality in the context of prolonged protests against police in Ferguson, MO in 2014 and compares black vs. nonblack officers' self-assessments about their preparedness to handle the crisis, procedural justice during the crisis and mental and emotional effects on officers following protest policing.Design/methodology/approachIn-depth interviews with 45 police personnel who policed the Ferguson protests provide a rich description of the context and experiences through the lens of police officers. Surveys of 218 officers who conducted protest policing in Ferguson are used to compare the impact on black vs. non-black officers.FindingsThe results provide a detailed portrayal of the double marginality experienced by black officers while policing the Ferguson protests, but also demonstrate that black officers were resilient to the effects of that experience, showing significantly more favorable outcomes than their nonblack peers.Originality/valueThis is the only study to utilize a mixed methods approach with police officers who conducted protest policing to understand officers' experiences in the midst of a racially inflamed context. The findings provide support for policymakers interested in advocating and supporting hiring more minorities in policing.

Exploring police-resident racial equality and violent crime

2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-18
Author(s):  
Victoria A. Sytsma
Keyword(s):  
Violent Crime ◽  
Residential Segregation ◽  
Police Officers ◽  
Crime Control ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Racial Composition ◽  
Police Departments ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Minority Officers ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – Residential segregation based on race/ethnicity is associated with higher crime rates. However, when there is greater diversity within a neighbourhood, there may be less clustering of crime. One sign of such diversity beyond direct measures of racial similarity may be the proportion of minority officers employed by municipal police departments. As such, the purpose of this paper is to test the effect of the proportion of minority police officers on violent crime within minority communities, controlling for residential segregation. Design/methodology/approach – Multi-level modelling of 91 American cities from the 2000 National Neighbourhood Crime Study was used. Findings – It was found that as minority populations within census tracts increase, violent crime also increases; and crime is associated with an increase in segregation. However, racial composition of police departments can moderate the impact that community racial composition has on violent crime. Originality/value – The current findings point to crime control strategies relevant to municipalities which focus on creating neighbourhoods of racial heterogeneity and more diverse police agencies.

Individual and organizational support

2017 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 750-766 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yvonne Brunetto ◽  
Stephen T.T. Teo ◽  
Rodney Farr-Wharton ◽  
Kate Shacklock ◽  
Art Shriberg
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Support ◽  
Police Officers ◽  
Affective Commitment ◽  
Turnover Intentions ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Management Support ◽  
Discretionary Power ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Red Tape ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine whether management supports police officers adequately, or whether police have to rely on their individual attributes, specifically psychological capital (PsyCap), to cope with red tape and stress. Work outcomes/consequences examined were discretionary power, affective commitment and turnover intentions. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional design using a survey-based, self-report strategy was used to collect data from 588 police officers from USA, who are most engaged with the public. The data were analysed using AMOS and a structural model to undertake structural equation modelling. Findings Two significant paths were identified Path 1: management support to red tape to discretionary power to affective commitment and turnover intentions; and Path 2: supervisor relationships to PsyCap to stress to affective commitment and turnover intentions. Further, management support predicted PsyCap, red tape and police stressors. Red tape increased police stressors and turnover intentions. Research limitations/implications The use of self-report surveys is a limitation, causing common methods bias. Using Harmon’s one-factor post hoc test, the authors were able to provide some assurance that common method bias was of no major concern. Originality/value As far as is known, this study is the first to examine, for police officers, how PsyCap impacts upon negative factors (stress and red tape) and enhances positive drivers for employees. Examining the impact of an individual attribute – PsyCap – provides an important piece of the organizational puzzle in explaining the commitment and turnover intentions of police officers. By examining the impact of both organizational and individual factors, there is now more knowledge about the antecedents of police outcomes.

From where does my support come? Unpacking the contribution of support for police

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
April D. Schantz ◽  
Stefany Coxe ◽  
Valentina Bruk-Lee
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Police Officers ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Support Network ◽  
Social Support Network ◽  
Component Structure ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to explore the structure and impact of police officers' social support network on health and well-being. Social integration promotes opportunities for regular positive experiences and a set of stable, socially rewarded roles within one's work and life domains. Identifying the structure and impact areas of police officers' social support network provide guidance for initiatives in improving psychological health for the department and individual officers.Design/methodology/approachSurvey of 162 police officers' sources of support provided a holistic representation of their social network across seven sources. Principle component analyses were conducted to explore the structure of one's social network. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to examine overall impact of one's social support network and relative contributions of support sources in terms of increased well-being and reduced strain.FindingsA three-component structure of social support was partially supported. Overall models of the impact of one's social support network related to increased well-being and reduced strain was supported. Relative contributions of support sources show different patterns based on outcome of interest.Practical implicationsProvides guidance for addressing the psychological well-being needs for officers holistically. In other words, treating officers as whole beings, whose system of support and psychological health is integrated, not piecemeal.Originality/valueExamination of principle effects of support provides a parsimonious approach to considering the holistic value of one's support system, apart from specific stressors or conditions.

Testing the impact of physiological stress response on police performance during critical job tasks

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lois James ◽  
Michael S. Goldstein ◽  
Peter Lecy ◽  
Stephen Mase
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Police Officers ◽  
Physiological Stress ◽  
The Body ◽  
Stress Profile ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Body Of Knowledge ◽  
The Impact

PurposeTo add to the existing body of knowledge on the relationship between stress and job performance in policing, we monitored police officers' physiology using Hexoskin shirts while they responded to simulated scenarios.Design/methodology/approachWe employed mixed repeated measures (baseline, intervention, post-intervention), between groups (treatment vs control group) design. Using this approach, our aims were (1) to determine whether an individualized physiological stress profile—a combination of heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV), sympathetic nervous system (SNS) index and parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) index—could be developed for each participant; (2) to investigate the association between physiological stress and scenario performance and (3) to pilot test an intervention for decreasing physiological stress in real time.FindingsWe found that it was possible to individualize physiological stress profiles for each participant that alerted us when the participant was becoming stressed. We also found that physiological stress was significantly and negatively/inversely associated with scenario performance. However, our intervention to try and decrease participants' stress in real time was not successful. Several key lessons can be taken from our attempt that could inform future efforts in this area.Research limitations/implicationsThis was a small pilot study, precluding generalizability of results. Furthermore, our intervention was simplistic and potentially affected by an experimenter effect. Future research should explore better ways to intervene when officers are becoming physiologically stressed to help them overcome stress in real time and safeguard against the cumulative effects of stress on health and performance.Originality/valueThis research adds to the body of knowledge on physiological stress and job-task performance in police officers.

Chinese police cadets’ attitudes toward police roles revisited

2015 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 250-264 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven Jay Cuvelier ◽  
Di Jia ◽  
Cheng Jin
Keyword(s):  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Police Officers ◽  
Community Building ◽  
Police Training ◽  
Academic Education ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Order Maintenance ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Chinese Police

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between Chinese police cadets’ background, motivations and educational perceptions and their attitudes toward common police roles. Design/methodology/approach – Self-administered questionnaires were collected from 382 Chinese police cadets. Based upon predisposition and socialization theories, personal background, career motivation and attitudes toward education were examined as statistical explanations of cadets’ attitudes toward order maintenance, preventative patrol, law enforcement, and community building as elements of the police role. Findings – Cadets who recognized more value in their practical and academic education also significantly favored the transitional and contemporary police roles (preventative patrol, law enforcement, and community building), which are taught as part of their college curriculum. But educational perceptions had no effect on order maintenance, which is a more historical role, and not emphasized by the police college. Cadets from lower SES backgrounds and those receiving outside influence to select a policing career tended to support traditional police roles whereas cadets with a relative in policing tended to show greater support for contemporary policing roles. Research limitations/implications – This study is limited by being a cross-sectional study of a single police college. Future studies should incorporate a longitudinal element to follow the perceptions of cadets from their school experience into the policing profession and should be conducted in other settings to assess generalizability. Practical implications – The impact of higher education on police cadets appears to be better measured as a function of their perceived importance of education (engagement) rather than measuring their exposure to it. The effectiveness of police training and education may be enhanced by adopting teaching methods that better engage learners. Social implications – Better alignment between police officers’ attitudes toward their roles and duties and contemporary police standards and practices will assure more effective and responsible police action and delivery of police services to the community. Originality/value – This study is among the first to demonstrate that Cadets who hold higher regard for practical and academic education are significantly better aligned to the policing roles emphasized by their educational program.

Distracted driving impairs police patrol officer driving performance

2015 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 505-516 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen M. James
Keyword(s):  
Police Officers ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Linear Mixed Model ◽  
Driving Simulator ◽  
Driving Performance ◽  
Distracted Driving ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Police Patrol ◽  
Study Results ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – Most US states exempt police officers from restrictive distracted laws, and most agencies require officers to use mobile data computers while driving. The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of a text-based distraction task on officer driving performance. Design/methodology/approach – Experienced police patrol officers (n=80) participated in controlled laboratory experiments during which they drove a high-fidelity driving simulator on four separate occasions; twice immediately following five consecutive 10:40 hour patrol shifts (fatigued condition) and again 72 hours after completing the last shift in a cycle (rested condition). In each condition, officers drove identical, counterbalanced 15-minute courses with and without distraction tasks. The research used a within- and between-subjects design. Findings – A generalized linear mixed-model analysis of driving performance showed that officers’ distracted driving performance had significantly greater lane deviation (F=88.58, df=1,308, p < 0.001), instances of unintentionally leaving assigned driving lane (F=64.76, df=1,308, p < 0.001), and braking latency (F=200.82, df=1,308, p < 0.001) than during non-distracted drives. These measures are leading indicators for collision risk. Research limitations/implications – Simulated driving tasks presented were generally less challenging than patrol driving and likely underestimate the impact of distraction on police driving. Originality/value – Police officers appear to drive significantly worse while distracted, and their routine experience with using text-based communication devices while driving does not mitigate the risks associated with doing so. Study results suggest that policing organizations should modify policies, practices, training, and technologies to reduce the impact of distraction on officers’ driving. Failing to do so exposes officers and the communities they serve to unnecessary hazards and legal liabilities.

Uganda may realign security sector after police purge

2017 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Police Officers ◽  
Inspector General ◽  
Security Sector ◽  
Donor Funding ◽  
Armed Robbery ◽  
Content Type ◽  
High Profile ◽  
Senior Officers ◽  
The Impact

Subject The impact of recent police arrests. Significance A series of recent arrests of senior police officers -- some of them reportedly close to powerful Inspector General of Police (IGP) Lieutenant General Kale Kayihura, a fierce regime loyalist -- appears to have exposed a network of rogue elements that abuse their formal positions to perpetrate crimes, allegedly including murder, armed robbery, extortion and kidnap. Investigations have revealed parallel chains of command in Uganda’s security sector and the existence of far-flung mafia-style networks with the power to defy the presidency. Impacts Relations with Rwanda may be complicated by the charges against senior officers over the kidnap of a Rwandan dissident. Allegations related to illegal repatriation of refugees could negatively impact donor funding. New revelations in the high-profile investigation into Assistant IGP Andrew Kaweesi could prompt further arrests.

Does an Increased Share of Black Police Officers Decrease Racial Discrimination in Law Enforcement?

2022 ◽  
pp. 107808742110702
Author(s):  
Sunyoung Pyo
Keyword(s):  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Racial Discrimination ◽  
Police Officers ◽  
Representative Bureaucracy ◽  
Black Representation ◽  
Black Residents ◽  
Black Police ◽  
Negative Role ◽  
Black Officers ◽  
Bureaucracy Theory

Based on representative bureaucracy theory, the current study investigates whether increasing Black representation in police forces is negatively associated with racial discrimination in law enforcement. This study additionally investigates how associations may differ according to the organizational or environmental contexts of the forces. Results show that an increased share of Black officers is associated with decreased police-involved deaths of Black residents, but is not significantly associated with a change in order maintenance arrests of Black suspects. In addition, the negative association between Black representation and police-involved deaths of Black residents disappears when the percent of Black officers surpasses about 15 percent, especially in organizations where White officers comprise a larger share. These findings support the potential negative role of organizational socialization on the effectiveness of increasing the share of Black officers in policing, implying that additional long-term efforts to change organizational culture are needed to realize the benefits of enhancing Black representation.

“Just do what you can […] make it work!” Exploring the impact of rapid population growth on police organizations in western North Dakota

2015 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 805-819 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thorvald O. Dahle ◽  
Carol A. Archbold
Keyword(s):  
Population Growth ◽  
North Dakota ◽  
Police Officers ◽  
External Environment ◽  
Rapid Population Growth ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Oil Boom ◽  
Police Organizations ◽  
Western North Dakota ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine how rapid population growth resulting from the oil boom affects police organizations in western North Dakota. Design/methodology/approach – Using face-to-face interviews with 101 police personnel working in eight law enforcement agencies, this study explores how rapid population growth affects police organizations (in general), police resources, and the work environment of police organizations located in four counties in western North Dakota. Resource dependency theory and contingency theory provide a theoretical framework for understanding how changes in the communities (external environment) have led to changes within police organizations in this region. Findings – Rapid population growth resulting from the oil boom in western North Dakota has required police agencies to make changes in the way that they are structured and function. In addition, the rapid increase in population has also strained police organizations’ resources. Research limitations/implications – The findings from this study may only be applicable to police organizations in western North Dakota. Interviews are based on police officers’ perceptions. Practical implications – Findings from this study suggest that police organizations in western North Dakota are currently experiencing a bad “fit” with their external environment. In order to get back to a good “fit” additional resources are needed from the state government. Social implications – The number of calls for police service have increased dramatically since the oil boom began in 2008 in the Bakken region of western North Dakota. The addition of police officers and needed resources has not kept pace with the rapid population growth. The quality of police service to the public will decline if additional resources are not made available to police organizations. Originality/value – This paper features the first and only study of the impact of rapid population growth on police organizations in western North Dakota. This study is both timely and important as the population growth in western North Dakota is predicted to continue for several decades into the future.

Police officers’ perceptions of the challenges involved in Internet Child Exploitation investigation

2014 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 543-557 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martine B. Powell ◽  
Peter Cassematis ◽  
Mairi S. Benson ◽  
Stephen Smallbone ◽  
Richard Wortley
Keyword(s):  
Work Environment ◽  
Police Officers ◽  
Full Range ◽  
Physical Work ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Telephone Interviews ◽  
Child Exploitation ◽  
Physical Work Environment ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore police officers’ perceptions of the challenges and work stressors of working in Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) investigation. Design/methodology/approach – Participants were a heterogeneous sample of 32 ICE investigators across nine Australian jurisdictions. Officers’ perceptions of ICE work were elicited via individual, open-ended, anonymous, telephone interviews, which focused on both the nature and impact of work-related stressors and challenges. Findings – Thematic analysis revealed that viewing ICE material was not perceived to be a major stressor or particularly traumatic facet of ICE investigation. Rather, the challenges related to three areas; work relationships, workload and resources and the physical environment. Participants also suggested some improvements to their work environment which could reduce the impact of these challenges. Practical implications – The stressors identified by ICE investigators in this study place physical, psychological and social restrictions on investigative capacity. Modifications to the workplace environment that facilitate more effective professional collaboration, reduce workload and enhance investigator efficiency and functionality of the physical work environment would likely reduce the potential for harm associated with ICE investigation and improve ICE investigators’ capacity to perform their role. Originality/value – This is the first study to use a broad research framework to examine the full range of stressors that ICE investigators face (both organisational and operational). The findings are important for developing comprehensive theories regarding workplace traumatisation as well as holistic intervention models to assist the prevention and management of stress related to ICE investigation.

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