Police perception of citizens and its impact on police effectiveness and behavior

2019 ◽  
Vol 42 (5) ◽  
pp. 785-797 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guangzhen Wu ◽  
Francis D. Boateng
Keyword(s):  
Police Officers ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Initial Attempt ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Transitional Countries ◽  
Service Training ◽  
Police Perception ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
National Police ◽  
Chinese Police

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the similarities and differences in police officers’ attitudes toward citizens between China and Ghana, and explore the extent to which officers’ perceptions of citizens influence their effectiveness and behavior.Design/methodology/approachIn total, 271 Chinese police officers were surveyed representing those attending in-service training program at a national police university in China in 2014, and a random sample of 145 Ghanaian police officers was surveyed in 2013, representing those from five police districts in the Accra region of Ghana Police service.FindingsResults revealed significant perceptual variations across the two countries. While Ghanaian officers were found to have more favorable perceptions of citizens’ cooperation and recognition, Chinese officers reported greater levels of citizens’ compliance and disrespectfulness. Moreover, results indicated significant relationships between officers’ attitudes and their sense of effectiveness and behavior in the two countries.Research limitations/implicationsThis study is based on a convenient sample of Chinese police officers, which restricts the generalizability of the results.Practical implicationsFindings offer insights for police administrators to reform the police with a focus on improving police perceptions of citizens.Originality/valueAlthough there are a few comparative studies that compare police attitudes toward citizens between developing and developed countries, and between western democracies, there is a profound lack of studies comparing these attitudes between developing/transitional countries. This study is an initial attempt to identify variations in officers’ perceptions of the public between two developing/transitional countries.

Police integrity in China

2018 ◽  
Vol 41 (5) ◽  
pp. 563-577 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guangzhen Wu ◽  
David A. Makin ◽  
Yongtao Li ◽  
Francis D. Boateng ◽  
Gassan Abess
Keyword(s):  
Police Officers ◽  
Excessive Force ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Code Of Silence ◽  
Official Policy ◽  
Service Training ◽  
Police System ◽  
Willingness To Report ◽  
Police Integrity ◽  
Chinese Police

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the contours of police integrity among Chinese police officers. Specifically, this study explores how Chinese police evaluate integrity based on official policy governing interactions, discipline governing infractions, views of seriousness, and willingness to inform when others engage in misconduct. Design/methodology/approach In total, 353 police officers were surveyed representing those attending in-service training program at a Chinese police university in May 2015. Questionnaires containing 11 scenarios describing police misbehaviors were distributed to officers during classes. Findings There was a strong correlation between officers’ perceptions of rule-violation, misconduct seriousness, discipline, and willingness to report. Additionally, preliminary results suggest there exists a code of silence among Chinese officers, and that Chinese officers hold a lenient attitude toward the use of excessive force. Research limitations/implications This study utilizes a convenient sample, which restricts the generalizability of the results. Practical implications The results indicate the existence of code of silence among Chinese officers and their lenient attitude toward the use of excessive force. Originality/value Although there has been a growing body of research examining police integrity in both western democracies and transitional societies, China as the largest developing nation in the world and with a unique police system (falls somewhere between the centralized model and the integrated model) is understudied. This study addresses this gap in previous literature by exploring the contours of police integrity among Chinese police officers.

The Quagmire that is an Unwillingness to Report: Situating the Code of Silence Within the Chinese Police Context

2019 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 608-627 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guangzhen Wu ◽  
David A. Makin
Keyword(s):  
Police Officers ◽  
Cultural Practices ◽  
Ecological Factors ◽  
Code Of Silence ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Service Training ◽  
The Individual ◽  
National Police ◽  
Type Of Behavior ◽  
Chinese Police

This study examines the individual, organizational, and ecological factors influencing police officers’ adherence to the code of silence, while accounting for their evaluation of the seriousness of each identified behavior. This study collected 353 responses from a sample of police officers receiving in-service training at a national police university in China. Results show salient influences for several individual and ecological factors contributing to the extent of the code of silence and those influences varied based on the type of behavior. In addition, this study lends further support to an emerging body of research suggesting Chinese police display a strong code of silence, although the existence and perpetuation of that code must take into consideration unique cultural practices within China.

Organizational cynicism in policing

2017 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 86-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
Georgina Enciso ◽  
Jon Maskaly ◽  
Christopher M. Donner
Keyword(s):  
Police Officers ◽  
Organizational Outcomes ◽  
Latent Growth ◽  
Police Recruits ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Organizational Cynicism ◽  
Curve Modeling ◽  
National Police ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Over Time

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine organizational cynicism (OC) among new police officers. Specifically, this paper investigates what factors are predictive of baseline levels of OC among police recruits and the growth of cynicism over time in these young officers. Design/methodology/approach The data for this study are drawn from Phase I of the National Police Research Platform. Latent growth curve modeling is used to analyze data on 760 police recruits across five geographically diverse training academies within three distinct time periods (first day of academy, just before graduation, and six months post-graduation) to assess the development of OC in new police officers. Findings Several variables, including gender, race, and relations in policing exerted significant effects on a baseline level of OC and on growth in cynicism over time. Practical implications OC is an important topic for police administrators. Cynicism among employees can lead to undesirable organizational outcomes such as low job morale and satisfaction. Thus, it is important for police administrators to better understand the development and growth of OC in its personnel, particularly in new police officers. Originality/value This study builds on previous research and investigates an understudied topic in the literature by assessing the development and growth of OC among new 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.

scholarly journals Improvement of in-service training of National police officers of Ukraine with the use of interactive multimedia

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 60-63
Author(s):  
Dmytro Tinin
Keyword(s):  
Distance Learning ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Police Officers ◽  
Interactive Multimedia ◽  
Educational Process ◽  
Learning System ◽  
Practical Training ◽  
Information Portal ◽  
Service Training ◽  
National Police

Today, one of the indicative forms of organizing service training is "distance learning", that is, the process of acquiring skills in a specialized environment operating on the basis of information and communication technologies. In the article, the problems of conducting service training through the use of remote contact with the teacher, monitoring and evaluating such training are considered. The analysis of the results and experience of using the implemented distance learning system using the information and telecommunications system "information portal of the National Police of Ukraine" and the distance learning management system "Moodle" in the educational process is carried out, conclusions are drawn. It has been determined that in the conditions of in a pandemic (quarantine) it is not possible to master some disciplines without practical training, so it is necessary to plan and conduct practical classes in such a way that it is possible to ensure the end result - the acquisition of practical skills with small groups. The limits of distance learning opportunities are determined, the regularities and significance of the use of interactive multimedia equipment in the system of higher education institutions of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine are generalized, the consequences and prospects of using such systems for modern education have been clarified.

Perception of police officer effectiveness in China: Does organisational support matter?

2019 ◽  
Vol 93 (3) ◽  
pp. 229-247
Author(s):  
Francis D Boateng ◽  
Guangzhen Wu
Keyword(s):  
Police Officers ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Demographic Differences ◽  
Organisational Support ◽  
Perceived Organisational Support ◽  
Perception Of Police ◽  
Support Policy ◽  
National Police ◽  
Chinese Police

The primary objective of this study is to examine the influence of officers’ perceptions of organisational support on their perceived effectiveness in China. The study also examined demographic differences in how Chinese police officers perceived the support they receive from the police organisation. To achieve these objectives, the present study surveyed and analysed data obtained from 271 officers who were conveniently selected from one of the two major national police universities in China. Findings from the analysis revealed that officers’ perception of organisational support and their effectiveness were unrelated. However, findings indicated significant demographic differences in perceived organisational support. Officers’ rank, department and the location of their agencies predicted perceptions of organisation support. Policy implications of the study findings are discussed.

Work-family conflict and job dissatisfaction among police officers: mediation of threat to family role and moderation of role segmentation enhancement

2020 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 403-415 ◽  
Author(s):  
Talat Islam ◽  
Mubbsher Munawar Khan ◽  
Ishfaq Ahmed ◽  
Ahmad Usman ◽  
Muhammad Ali
Keyword(s):  
Police Officers ◽  
Family Conflict ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Work And Family ◽  
Job Dissatisfaction ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Family Role ◽  
Work Family Conflict ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Work Family

PurposeThis study investigates the mechanism between work-family conflict (WFC) and job dissatisfaction by considering threat to family role as a mediator and role segment enhancement as a moderator.Design/methodology/approachThe data were collected from 245 male and 245 female police officers using a questionnaire-based survey method through convenience sampling.FindingsResults revealed that threat to family role partially mediates the association between WFC and job dissatisfaction. Role segment enhancement was also noted to weaken the association between WFC and job dissatisfaction. Moreover, the study revealed that male employees are more likely to draw a boundary between their work and family domain, which was not found in their female counterparts.Research limitations/implicationsThe survey for this study was conducted in a male-dominant developing country, so results may be different in developed countries. The study has theoretical and managerial implications.Originality/valueThis study adds value to the existing literature on work-family conflicts in the perspective of source attribution and boundary management. Further, to the best of researchers' knowledge, none of the previous studies have examined role segment enhancement and threat to family role among the police workforce.

Chinese police supervisors’ occupational attitudes

2016 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 190-205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivan Y. Sun ◽  
Jianhong Liu ◽  
Ashley K. Farmer
Keyword(s):  
Job Satisfaction ◽  
Survey Data ◽  
Military Service ◽  
Selection Process ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Chinese City ◽  
Order Maintenance ◽  
Police Supervisors ◽  
Service Training ◽  
Chinese Police

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to assess factors that influence Chinese police supervisors’ attitudes toward police roles, community policing, and job satisfaction. Design/methodology/approach – Survey data were collected from police supervisors in a major Chinese city. Multivariate regression was used to assess the effects of officers’ background characteristics and assignments on their occupational attitudes. Findings – Ethnic minority supervisors were more likely to have a broader order maintenance orientation, a narrower crime fighting orientation, and supportive attitudes toward quality of life activities. Less experienced supervisors were more inclined to favor the order maintenance role. Supervisors with a stronger order maintenance orientation tended to support problem solving activities and have a greater level of job satisfaction. Officers with military service experience also expressed a higher degree of job satisfaction. Research limitations/implications – Survey data collected from a single Chinese city may not be generalizable to officers in other regions and departments. Practical implications – Police administrators should screen all applicants on attitudes that reflect departmental work priorities and styles of policing during the initial selection process. Desirable attitudes can be further molded into officers during their academic training, field officer training, and in-service training. Police administrators should continue their recruiting efforts targeting former military personnel. With adequate training in fulfilling civilian tasks and displaying proper outlooks, these individuals could become effective members of the forces. Originality/value – Despite a growing number of studies on crime and justice in China, empirical research on policing in general and on officers’ occupational attitudes in particular remains very limited. This study represents one of the first attempts to assess factors related to police occupational outlooks in China.

Officer and Organizational Correlates With Police Interventions in Domestic Violence in China

2020 ◽  
pp. 088626052097569
Author(s):  
Ivan Y. Sun ◽  
Yuning Wu ◽  
Xiying Wang ◽  
Jia Xue
Keyword(s):  
Domestic Violence ◽  
Family Violence ◽  
Police Officers ◽  
Organizational Factors ◽  
Supervisory Support ◽  
Problem Solving Skills ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Attitudes And Behavior ◽  
Chinese Police ◽  
Domestic Violence Law

Although domestic violence has long been identified as a serious social problem in China, little is known about police officers’ attitudinal and behavioral tendencies toward such incidents. Drawing upon survey data collected from police officers in two Chinese provinces, this study assesses whether officer and organizational factors are correlated to police inaction and intervention in resolving family violence. More than a quarter of Chinese police officers often and sometime did not take any action when responding to domestic violence. Chinese officers favored most the least punitive approaches of mediation and separation, with the most punitive actions, written warning and criminal sanction as the least preferred interventions. We found that Chinese officers with low levels of knowledge about the domestic violence law, higher degrees of tolerance of violence and less supportive attitudes toward an active police role in handling domestic violence are less willing to take any action against the offenders. Chinese police officers who perceived stronger supervisory support and expressed better knowledge about China’s new domestic violence law are more likely to intervene in domestic violence, whereas police officers who expressed greater degrees of tolerance of violence and believed in gender equality in society are less inclined to intervene. Policy makers and police administrators ought to pay greater attention to frontline supervisors’ attitudes and behavior toward proper responses to family violence. If active intervention is preferred, then measures and programs should be put into place to improve police officers’ legal knowledge and communication and problem-solving skills pertaining to conflict resolution.

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