What's wrong with complaint investigations? Dealing with difference differently in complaints against police

In service of the truth? An evaluation of the Danish Independent Police Complaints Authority

“…The literature on police complaints systems shows that they often fail to satisfy those complaining. Many complainants are in fact not seeking a formal investigation (Landau, 1994) characterized by the binary nature (guilty/not guilty) of ‘forensic realism’ (Goldsmith, 1996); instead, they are seeking outcomes such as redress, explanations, apologies, or indications that the police will act differently in the future (Maguire and Corbett, 1991). However, they are often disappointed owing to the fact that complaint systems are preoccupied with proving individual wrongdoing – something that is rarely achieved (Maguire and Corbett, 1991: 196).…”

Gender Discrimination and Regulatory Behaviour: An Exploratory Study in Policing

“…The study by Prenzler and Hayes (2000) and other research covering the 1990s (FCLCV, 1999;Niland, 1996;Prenzler, 1998;Tynan, 1995) indicated that performance differences were closely related to differences in internal management policies, especially at the very top of the police organisation. There appeared to be some limiting external factors, such as the percentage of women that could be attracted to apply to join the police; and some external driving factors, such as corruption inquiry reform agendas.…”

“…Inadequate powers and resources have been cited as contributory factors, but the research has highlighted a culture of deference on the part of regulators towards the powerful private and public sector bodies whose behaviour is the target of regulation. The reasons for a deferential culture have at times been related to forms of capture by influence: the interchange of personnel between the regulatee and regulator (Grabosky & Braithwaite, 1985), for example, and to mutuality derived from working in a common field (Goldsmith, 1996). Weak and detached regulation contrasts with modern concepts of 'smart regulation' and 'responsive regulation' (Ayres & Braithwaite, 1995;Gunningham & Grabosky, 1998;Sparrow, 2000).…”

People in Crisis: Understanding the Impact of a Mental Health Response Unit on Police Culture

“…Goldsmith (2005) elaborates and suggests that police legitimacy is also dependent on answerability, meaning the police organization must be held accountable for their responses to PIC. In an earlier piece, Goldsmith (1996) identified a number of issues surrounding police accountability. Most notably, he claims that true accountability cannot be achieved when police organizations are tasked with investigating fellow members (Goldsmith, 1996).…”

“…In an earlier piece, Goldsmith (1996) identified a number of issues surrounding police accountability. Most notably, he claims that true accountability cannot be achieved when police organizations are tasked with investigating fellow members (Goldsmith, 1996).…”