Officer Opinions on Police Misconduct

Abstract

This article builds on the literature regarding the extent of police misconduct and officers' attitudes toward those behaviors. Using information provided within prior research, the author developed several statements regarding the causes of police misconduct and those strategies thought to be effective in curtailing incidents of police misconduct. To critique the proposed statements, a questionnaire was administered to a convenience sample of currently serving officers. The findings suggest that officers are aware of the detrimental impacts of police misconduct and hold strong opinions as to what strategies are preferable. Interestingly, demographic variables did not appear to influence those statements for which there was either officer support or opposition.

Police officer characteristics and internal affairs investigations for use of force allegations

“…Other researchers (Cao & Huang, 2000;Herbert, 1998;Holmes, 2000;Hunter, 1999;Klockars, 1996;Scrivner, 1994) focused on police departments and their leadership styles as units of analysis and considered whether departmental structure determined use of force.…”

“…In contrast to the public's perception, the police do not believe using force is pervasive (Hunter, 1999). Essentially, the police develop their perception through a process of indoctrination into the law enforcement profession.…”

“…Essentially, the police develop their perception through a process of indoctrination into the law enforcement profession. In his research on police officer opinions, Hunter (1999) found that officers doubted that those inclined to use force or engage in misconduct would be attracted to police work. In a separate study, Holmes (2000) contradicted this in that the police consider excessive force to be normal and essential to control individuals who they perceive to be a threat to them.…”

The Long Arm of the Law: An Examination of the Utility of Police Post-Separation Discipline Processes

“…Indeed, the strategic management of police complaints and misconduct can be used as a ‘… litmus test of public perception of police in general’ (Ratcliffe, Biles, Green, & Miller, 2005, p. 71). Improving the confidence that the public has in its law enforcement bodies is a major goal of such organisations (Gottschalk & Stedje, 2010; Hunter, 1999; Prenzler, 2011; Ransley, Anderson, & Prenzler, 2007; Waters & Brown, 2000).…”

“…The failure to bring officers to account for misconduct or criminal actions committed, whilst a person is still a police officer, is an issue that can undermine the perceived effectiveness and legitimacy of a discipline system. This, in turn, can lead to disrepute and impinge on the reputation of a law enforcement organisation (Hassell & Archbold, 2010; Hunter, 1999; Lamboo, 2010; Prenzler, 2011). One way to combat failure to act is to enable police services to conduct disciplinary hearings against officers who have left the employ of the service.…”