Critical moments in police-citizen reconciliation

Abstract

Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to analyze the interaction of police and citizen representatives during critical moments in reconciliation processes through a relational model. Design/methodology/approach -Based on 26 in-depth interviews with key actors in three different cases of media-salient police-citizen group conflict, the interactions in the run-up to, during and after five moments that were critical in the transformation from conflict to cooperation, were analyzed. In focussing on the role of the intergroup relationship in conflict interaction, the applicability of relationship-value, compatibility and security in defining this relationship were explored. Findings -Although interactions during critical moments differed along the specific conflict contexts, three chronological stages could be deduced. In the first stage, interactions were tensed and emotional. During the second stage, repressing this insecurity through the exchange of value and compatibility signals was important. In the third stage, the transformation toward friendlier, cooperative dialogue and a less tensed atmosphere was made. Emotional expression, information sharing and emphasizing compatibility seemed particularly important in (re)defining and negotiating police-citizen relationships. Research limitations/implications -In analysis, the authors had to rely on limited and retrospective accounts of interactions and attitudes and its indivertible errors. Originality/value -This is one of very few studies that analyses police-involved post conflict interactions with a relational model. With regard to the importance of strong police-citizen relationships, the results should be of value to any operational police worker and specifically those who are involved in operational or strategic conflict-management and communication.

A Neglected Problem: Understanding the Effects of Personal and Vicarious Trauma on African Americans’ Attitudes Toward the Police

“…While the presence of vicarious trauma cannot be readily reversed, the relationship between the police and African Americans can be improved (O’Brien et al, 2020). Police need to hear the concerns of the Black community, and vice versa, and trust may be rebuilt between both sides through reconciliation (Stronks & Adang, 2015). One of the major contributions of the current study is that it employed a sample of adults who live in public housing, middle-income, and upper-middle-income communities.…”

“En, goed gevoel dat je je stad naar de vernieling hebt geholpen?” Een kwantitatieve analyse van het relationeel besef van burgemeesters in hun publieke reacties op de avondklokrellen

“…Het begrip 'relatieveiligheid', ten tweede, refereert aan de voorspelbaarheid van de interacties tussen partijen en aan het vertrouwen dat het gedrag van de andere partij niet van het ene op het andere moment in negatieve zin omslaat. Zeker in de context van gewelddadig conflict spelen percepties van de relatieveiligheid vaak een belangrijke rol: conflicten leveren spanning en stress op, die maken dat je gaat twijfelen aan de relatieveiligheid (Stronks & Adang, 2015). De 'relatiecompatibiliteit', tot slot, refereert aan de aard van de betrokken partijen (wordt een partij gezien als van nature coöperatiever, vermijdend, confronterend?)…”

“…Relatiecompatibiliteit gaat daarnaast, zo stelt Stronks (2017) vast, ook over de mate van sociale identificatie met de ander, in de zin dat partijen al dan niet worden gezien als onderdeel van dezelfde sociale groep, met dezelfde kenmerken, normen en waarden, doelen en belangen (Tajfel & Turner, 1976). Als mensen zich sociaal meer identificeren met anderen zijn zij eerder bereid om samen te werken, toenadering te zoeken, te onderhandelen en energie te steken in coöperatief contact (Tajfel & Turner, 1976;Stronks & Adang, 2015). Tabel 1 vat het bovenstaande samen en geeft de relatiekwaliteiten en de deelaspecten daarvan weer zoals we deze in dit onderzoek onderscheiden.…”

Swedish Police Officers’ Perceptionsof Conflict Management Training in School and Probationary Training

“…Further, several studies have shown a strong correlation between officer age and experience and poor conflict management behavior, with complaints being more frequent for inexperienced officers, with a steady decline with experience (Terrill & Ingram, 2015). Other studies have focused on conflict management tools for the police to improve strained relations between the police and members of the public, including the role of mediation and reconciliation processes (Berger, 2000;Stronks & Adang, 2015;van de Klomp et al, 2014). Further, a study from Hong Kong examined the effectiveness of conflict-management training for traffic police officers and highlighted three major components -heightening awareness of emotional reaction and conflict-management approaches, improving communication skills, and enhancing anger management and emotional regulation -that can be utilized in law enforcement operations (Lau et al, 2004).…”