Procedural justice and professional policing in times of austerity

Abstract

This article draws on a study of differential treatment of young people in the youth justice system to present a typology of styles of policing that contrasts procedural justice with adversarial policing. It considers the factors that can trap police in adversarial styles of policing and offers suggestions about how best to move towards policing grounded on principles of procedural justice. It argues that ideas about procedural justice may be able to gain more traction in times of austerity, given that changing policing style does not necessarily incur significant costs.

Stop and Search and Police Legitimacy

“…Además se añade el elemento de que representan una forma de actividad proactiva y visible que puede responder a la demanda de un mayor combate contra la delincuencia. Por otro lado, estas prácticas ejemplifican el conflicto inherente en el uso de la fuerza no negociable, con la tensión añadida de la constante evidencia que señala su uso desproporcionado, como en el caso del perfil étnico (HOUGH, 2013). Si las paradas policiales representan una actividad controvertida y potencialmente peligrosa para la confianza que los ciudadanos tienen en la institución al representar uno de los principales mecanismos de contacto, la pregunta que surge a continuación es por qué se siguen utilizando de una forma tan extendida.…”

“…En parte debido al uso del perfil étnico en su práctica (MEDINA, 2014) y puesto que es una forma de interacción que puede tener otras consecuencias negativas en las relaciones de la policía con la ciudadanía en términos de confianza y legitimidad (HOUGH, 2013). Además, como se apuntaba anteriormente, es un poder que permite pensar en sentido amplio el rol que juega la policía en la sociedad actual (BOWLING y MARKS, 2015;.…”

The stop and search of minors: A ‘vital police tool’?

“…Age, dress and social background, as well as previous dealings with the police, were all markers, although different characteristics may have 'intersected' 19 to influence vulnerability to stop and search. Previous research has found that the 'usual suspects', and those known to police (Hough, 2013;McAra and McVie, 2005), as well as those who fail the 'attitude test' (Warburton et al, 2005), are most likely to be apprehended (on ethnic disparities, see Eastwood et al, 2013). Among the interviewees in treatment, Robert's testimony was typical:…”

Extending Procedural Justice Theory: A Fiducia Report on the Design of New Survey Indicators

“…motivations to behave according to moral principles. Developed in the US (Tyler, 2006a(Tyler, , 2006b(Tyler, , 2011bSunshine & Tyler, 2003;Tyler and Huo, 2002) but applied in an increasing number of contexts across the world (Gau and Brunson, 2010;Tankebe, 2009Tankebe, , 2012Hough et al, 2013;Reisig and Lloyd, 2009;Jackson et al, 2012aJackson et al, , 2012bTaylor et al, 2012;Elliott et al, 2011; Kochel, 2012;Kochel et al, 2011;Hinds and Murphy, 2007;Murphy and Cherney, 2012;Mazerolle et al, 2013;Murphy et al, 2009;Huq et al, 2011aHuq et al, , 2011b, procedural justice theory stresses positive social connections between criminal justice agencies and the populations they serve. The experience of procedurally fair treatment and decision-making fosters people's beliefs that the police have a positive right to exercise power and influence.…”