“Police spatial knowledge” – Aspects of spatial constitutions by the police

Abstract

PurposeThe article presents research results of an ethnographic survey within the German police. The focus is on practices of spatial production and the functions of spaces.Design/methodology/approachThe article draws on data from the DFG-funded research project KORSIT (Social Construction of security-related Spaces) based on an ethnographic survey in the German police force (https://www.dhpol.de/korsit). Participant observations were conducted in police stations in two large German cities (pseudonymised as “Dillenstadt” and “Rosenberg”). It involved 60 guided interviews with police officers at different levels of the hierarchy, as well as further interviews with local and societal actors for contrasting purposes. The data was analysed on the basis of grounded theory (Strauss and Cobin, 1996).FindingsThis paper shed light on institutional spatial knowledge, which is the basis of police practices, is preceded by experience-based narratives. In an expanded perspective, the paper argues that urban spaces themselves can be understood as materialisations of social practices that serve as social demarcation that legitimise unequal styles of action in the different precinct within the German police. In terms of a relational conceptualisation of space, it is shown that the categories of ethnicity and gender interrelate within the institutional production of space.Originality/valueThe article links organisational research with sociological spatial research and provides basic explanatory models on the conditions of emergence and the persistence of discriminatory practices within the police.

Exploring the roles and challenges of the servant leadership: A critical examination of the Bangladesh police

“…The present study follows an ethnographic approach [ 104 , 105 , 106 ] to explore the SL roles and challenges of the BP. A participant observation [ 107 , 108 , 109 , 110 ] was used to explore the SL challenges of BP. One of the authors conducted approximately 576 h of participant observation at five different police stations in Gopalgonj District, Baourngladesh — Gopalgonj Sadar, Mokshudpur, Kashiani, Kotalipara, and Tongipara during September 2021 to November 2021 as a part of the probation time of his job.…”