Dimensions of police culture: a study in Canada, India, and Japan

Abstract

PurposeSome police research has used quantitative methods of typology construction in attitudinal data to explore the spatial structure of occupational culture, suggesting distinctions among officer‐types may be empirically useful. The purpose of this paper is to suggest scale construction as a complimentary approach, using original data collected from a multi‐national sample. Cultural structure is examined here in terms of the spatial relationship among variables rather than respondents. Cultural homogeneity is understood principally as the relative congruence of attitudinal constructs across national groups. Where common constructive dimensions are evident, meaningful analysis of attitudinal valence is then possible.Design/methodology/approachData‐measuring attitudes in several facets of occupational outlook were collected from police in Canada, India, and Japan. Factor analysis was used to identify latent structures among question items in 11 inventories in the aggregate set and then again in each national sample. Factor solutions were then compared for congruence across the three nations and against the aggregate result. Scores from congruent factors were analyzed using ANCOVA.FindingsThe findings suggest an appreciable universality to factor structures in the inventories and samples examined here. Congruence across attitudinal constructs appears to break down in those aspects of occupational outlook that are most personal and most impersonal to the officer.Originality/valueThe paper offers a complimentary approach to existing quantitative methods in probing sameness and difference in police culture by focusing upon the constructive meanings of attitudinal measurements as expressive of the conceptual dimensionality of attitudinal space.

Police subcultural influences on the transfer of training

“…Nickels and Varma (2008) conducted a cross-national comparison of policing subcultural attitudes in Canada, India and Japan. The approach examined several themes, including attitudes toward “the role of police in society…the formal-organizational context of policing…personal relationship to the workgroup…motivations to work” (p. 191).…”

“…Particular focus was applied to the lack of uniformity in adherence to a particular subcultural (e.g. no assumption of a monolith subculture) and the blending of new and old subcultural attitudes toward the work (Cochran and Bromley, 2003; Nickels and Varma, 2008).…”

“…This previously conceived notion of a traditional subculture is being replaced by the idea that several subcultures can exist in any single police department. The negativity present in previous conceptions, including cynicism, hostility toward the public, and poor views of department leadership, are accompanied by more positive subcultural attitudes, such as valuing community service and integrating work into larger department goals (Nickels and Varma, 2008). Jermier et al (1991) examined official cultures and unofficial subcultures, looking at points of convergence and divergence in a police department.…”

“…The statistical analysis revealed a significant association between adherence to traditional subcultural values and the use of coercive measures. Nickels and Varma (2008) conducted a cross-national comparison of policing subcultural attitudes in Canada, India and Japan. The approach examined several themes, including attitudes toward "the role of police in society .…”

Poli̇sli̇ği̇n Kroni̇k Hastaliği: Ki̇ni̇zm

“…Polis Örgütünün de kendisine özgü bir alt kültürü bulunmaktadır. Konu hakkında yapılan çalışmalar yakından incelendiğinde polis alt kültürünün bir ülkeden diğerine tamamıyla fark göstermediği birbirine benzer taraflarının çok olduğu anlaşılabilmektedir (Reiner, 1992, Mofomme, 2001Nickels and Verma, 2008). Dolayısıyla polis örgütünün alt kültürünün evrenselliğinden de bahsedilebilir.…”