The push toward professionalisation of policing is an expanding discourse in western societies. Professions, as opposed to trades, crafts or occupations, have particular characteristics, some of which have eluded policing and must be considered if the police are to reach this goal. Characteristics of a profession include a professional association, cognitive base, institutionalised training, licensing, work autonomy, colleague control, a code of ethics and high standards of professional and intellectual excellence. Further, professionalisation requires the alignment of various aspects of professional practice (Schneider, 2009). Tertiary education and the development of a body of discipline knowledge through research are crucial components of this. This paper examines some of the issues which have previously prevented police adopting a full professional model. It also examines the increasing involvement in the university sector by the police practitioner, which would seem to indicate some ‘light at the end of the tunnel’ and room for optimism for the future.
Word count: 8,959Effective detective 2 AbstractThe characteristics that detectives believe are required to be an 'effective detective' were explored in this study. A Repertory Grid Technique and Critical Incident Technique were used to explore in detail the views of experienced detectives (N=30) from five different police services in Australia and New Zealand about what makes an effective detective. The findings suggest detectives hold a complex and challenging role that requires eleven key skills. By far the most important factor was communication skills; particularly how to communicate effectively with a variety of people varying from victims and suspects to colleagues and scientific experts. High levels of motivation and thoroughness closely followed communication as essential skills. The implications of these findings for the recruitment, training and management of detectives are discussed.Effective detective 3 Detectives are entrusted with a serious and onerous role. The investigations they conduct are relied on to identify and convict those guilty of inflicting the most serious of crimes. The stakes are high. Poor investigation may result in dangerous offenders remaining free to commit more harm and even the false conviction of the innocent (Gross et al., 2005). Also important is the way detectives go about their work. Their responsiveness to victims, who are often the most vulnerable members of our society, has been found to effect victim satisfaction with the justice system as a whole (Jordan, 2004;Patterson, 2011). Further, investigations into high profile cases often attract intense public interest and scrutiny, which means that how detectives conduct themselves is likely to impact on public perceptions of police as a whole (Innes, 2003). For these reasons it is essential that the skills, abilities and personal characteristics that combine to make a detective effective are identified. Identifying what these factors are has profound implications for how the detective role is conceptualised and the recruitment, training and management of detectives. Despite the recognised importance of detective work, to date, few empirical studies examine the less tangible skills, abilities and other characteristics that differentiate between those detectives who perform the role effectively and those who do not. The present research attempts to address this gap by exploring the views of experienced detectives in Australia and New Zealand. Criminal investigation is one of the least researched areas in policing (Brodeur, 2010), but is attracting growing attention as evidenced by the recent special issue of Policing and Society, "Homicide Investigation: International Research and Insights" (2013; Volume 23, Issue 3). The work of Innes (2003) and Brodeur (2010) has helped provide theoretical frameworks for criminal investigation. Acknowledging the complexity of criminal investigation, Innes (2003) focused specifically on homicide by observing five investigations, interviewing investigators and Effective detective
Discusses the images and perceptions that individuals and library funders hold of libraries, library services and the librarian profession in relation to effective use of libraries and the skills of librarians. Argues that contributing factors to non‐use and under‐use are also those images and perceptions which librarians themselves hold of their profession and of potential users and their information needs. It is not only negative images and perceptions that need to be overcome but also barriers caused by lack of awareness of the “library world” and unrealistic expectations. Draws on surveys and experiences across all types of libraries from school to university and public to private sector.
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