Differences in the Conflict Resolution Tactics of Male and Female Police Patrol Officers

Abstract

This study examined the conflict resolution tactics of male and female police officers on patrol. An instrument for measuring behavioural tactics was developed from a theoretical model of conflict resolution. Male and female officers were observed when interacting with members of the public, and their behaviour was recorded in real time via a datalogger. Lag sequential analysis was used to detect sequences of behaviour. Results indicated that male officers used coercive tactics, such as controlling statements, threats and physical tactics, more often than females. The use of coercive tactics by males was likely to elicit verbal abuse from the citizen, which in turn increased the probability of physical abuse. This outcome was not evident for female officers. Consequently, the behavioural tactics of male officers more often placed them at risk of physical resistance.

Measuring Progress in Gender Equity in Australian Policing

“…Bloch & Anderson 1974;CJC 1998), as has research into the impact of women on styles of police work and conduct (e.g. Braithwaite & Brewer 1998;Grennan 1987;Kennedy & Homant 1983;Waugh et al 1998). The issue of citizen attitudes toward women police has also been largely resolved in favour of equality (Koenig & Juni 1981;Winnard 1986).…”

Assaults on police officers: A comparison between England and Wales and New Zealand from 2015 to 2022

“…It also assists with the analysis of situational factors that are involved in the encounter and its outcomes. Similar approaches have since been used to analyze police use-of-force transactions and to measure the effect that one utterance has on the outcome of an encounter (Braithwaite and Brewer, 1998;Terrill, 2005;Terrill and Mastrofski, 2002). Utterances by a police officer and strings of utterances have also been analyzed to measure how the action of one actor affects another (Sykes and Brent, 1983;Terrill, 2005;Toch, 1969).…”

Understanding Police Recruits’ Attitudes Toward Public Interactions: An Australian Example

“…Interestingly, while masculinity is often described as a cultural dimension, research exploring officer demeanor and the use of force often finds that gender itself (an individual factor) is a significant factor. Braithwaite and Brewer (1998) showed female officers to be less coercive and confrontational in their demeanor toward citizens. Research has shown that female officers use less force against citizens (Bazley, Lersch, & Mieczkowski, 2007; Rabe-Hemp, 2008) and receive fewer complaints about their behavior (Lonsway et al., 2002; Waugh, Ede, & Alley, 1998), while younger male officers are more likely to use excessive force (Lersch & Mieczkowski, 2005; Porter & Prenzler, 2015).…”