Authoritarianism in British police recruits: Importation, socialization or myth?

Abstract

In the development of police officer authoritarianism, importation variables do not appear decisive. Police recruit authoritarianism is no different from that of fire service recruits with a similar background. Initial training, however, depresses authoritarianism despite the unambiguous emphasis in training on law and discipline. Finally, experience of on‐the‐beat policing leads to a dramatic increase in authoritarianism in a traditionally policed area with a high crime rate, but not in a low crime rate area with an emphasis on community policing.

The social construction of the meaning of acute stressors: A qualitative study of the personal accounts of police officers using a stress counselling service

“…Furthermore, P. Dick identities and ways of thinking (Hill, 1992 ;Van Maanen, and Schein, 1979). Research into the police, for example, has shown that the organization has a distinct eŠ ect on attitudes, such as cynicism (Van Maanen, 1975), authoritarianism (Brown, and Willis, 1985), and misogyny (Fielding, 1994), as well as on o‰ cers ' orientation to unpleasant circumstances, such as death or distress, where they are expected to remain emotionally detached and in control (Pogrebin, and Poole, 1991 ;Resisser, and Geiger, 1984). Additionally, the organizational culture of many police forces emphasizes the importance of physical and mental strength (Reiner, 1992 ;Waddington, 1999).…”

Ethnicity and behaviour in organizations: A review of British research

“…While four out of the seven empirical papers here found evidence of discrimination against minority ethnic people (Green & James, 2003;Howitt & Owusu-Bempah, 1990;Noon, 1993;Stafford, Jackson, & Banks, 1980), one paper did not (Hoque & Noon, 1999) and one, due to a small subsample size, did not report results for minority ethnic people independently of their results on disabled workers (Sutherland & Davidson, 1996). One paper focused on reasons for discriminatory attitudes towards minority ethnic people held by some police recruits (Brown & Willis, 1985).…”

An Examination of Authoritarian Personality Traits among Police Officers: The Role of Experience

“…In a study examining officers who were laid off due to budget cuts, older officers were significantly more authoritarian than younger comparisons (Austin et al 1987). Brown and Willis (1985) observed that young officers develop values, including authoritarianism, from older, veteran colleagues. Experienced municipal police officers were more authoritarian than municipal police recruits in a study by Genz and Lester (1976).…”

“…According to Brown and Willis (1985), the demands of policing may correlate with greater authoritarianism, most notably in areas with high crime rates.…”