Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies & Management

Police and immigration enforcement: Impacts on Latino(a) residents' perceptions of police : Table of Contents

Guadalupe Vidales, Kristen M. Day, Michael Powe — Sat Nov 14 08:00:19 GMT 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – Recent years have witnessed a national policy shift towards involving state and local police in enforcing US federal immigration laws. Critics argue that involving local police in enforcing immigration law will decrease Latino(a) and immigrant residents' willingness to report crime and their cooperation with the police, and will also increase racial profiling and negatively impact documented and undocumented residents. This paper aims to examine Latino(a) residents' perceptions of the police before and after an extended local controversy about involving police in enforcing immigration laws in Costa Mesa, California. Design/methodology/approach – The paper reports findings of a before-and-after study in the Westside area of the City of Costa Mesa, California. Methods include Spanish and English language telephone surveys of Latino(a) and non-Latino(a) residents in the Westside (n=169 respondents before and n=91 respondents after), conducted in 2002 and in 2007. Findings – In survey responses, Latino(a) residents report that they are more likely to be stopped by the police in 2007 compared to 2002. Latino(a) respondents also have more negative perceptions of the police, find the police less helpful, feel less accepted in the community, and say that they are less likely to report crimes after the controversy, compared to before. Originality/value – The findings show the importance of policies that encourage cooperation with and trust of the police. These results can help inform cities about the potential impacts of involving local police in immigration enforcement.

On-scene victim assistance units within law enforcement agencies : Table of Contents

Margaret Smith Ekman, Magnus Joseph Seng — Sat Nov 14 08:00:19 GMT 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – The major purpose of this paper is the review of the administration and operation of four on-scene victim assistance units within law enforcement agencies in one Canadian and three US cities. The primary purpose is to learn how these units operate and the extent to which there are accepted by the officers involved. An additional purpose is learn how many departments nationally had such units. Design/methodology/approach – The basic methodology includes telephone interviews with key personnel in each unit, an on-site examination of the Denver, Colorado unit, and a brief survey of large city police departments to learn the extent of on-scene units in major US cities. Findings – A review of the administration and operation of each unit reveals that each unit is well managed, integrated into the department's structure, and staffed with paid staff who are members of the department and volunteers. Key to the success of each unit is extensive training of victim specialists and a clear understanding between specialists and police that the officers at the scene are in charge. The findings clearly confirm that such units are well received by officers at all levels. The survey findings indicate that relatively few departments have on-scene victim assistance units, although most do have some program to address victims' issues. Originality/value – While there is an extensive literature on victim assistance generally, little has been written about the need for, and operation of, on-scene victim assistance units that are part of police departments. This article contributes to knowledge in this area and suggests that such units can be a valuable asset to departments.

Police stress: the role of the psychological contract and perceptions of fairness : Table of Contents

A.J. Noblet, J.J. Rodwell, A.F. Allisey — Sat Nov 14 08:00:19 GMT 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – The overall purpose of this paper is to examine the extent to which breaches in psychological contracts and perceptions of organizational fairness account for variations in job stress experienced by operational police officers (as measured by psychological distress and employee performance), after controlling for the variance associated with more established job stressors (i.e. job demands, job control and social support). Design/methodology/approach – This study is based on data collected through a self-report survey involving operational members of a large Australian police force (n=582). Findings – Results of hierarchical multiple regression analyses indicate that vast majority of explained variance in psychological distress and extra-role performance is attributed to the additive effects of demand, control, and support. Furthermore, only one of the social exchange dimensions (interpersonal fairness) is predictive of either target variable. Research limitations/implications – The limitations that need to be taken into account are the cross-sectional nature of the study design and the focus on a single police service. Practical implications – Despite the generally weak support for the social exchange variables, there are signs that dimensions of justice (particularly interpersonal justice) should be included in future police-stress investigations. The results also suggest that job characteristics such as job demand, job control and social support should be taken into account when developing strategies to prevent and/or reduce chronic job stress in policing services. Originality/value – This is one of the first studies to examine the relationships between psychological contract breach, perceptions of fairness and police stress.

Chinese police cadets' attitudes toward police role and work : Table of Contents

Ivan Y. Sun, Michael A. Cretacci, Yuning Wu, Cheng Jin — Sat Nov 14 08:00:19 GMT 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine Chinese police cadets' attitudes toward police roles and their work. Design/methodology/approach – Using survey data collected from 182 cadets in a Chinese police college, this paper assesses the influences of cadets' characteristics and training on their attitudes toward law enforcement, order maintenance, preventive patrol, and community building. Findings – Cadets without family members or relatives serving as police officers and with stronger physical capability are more likely to support the law enforcement role, while cadets with greater physical capability are less likely to favor order maintenance. Younger cadets and those without a Bachelor's degree are more likely to view preventive patrol as an important goal for the police. Cadets with stronger attitudes toward law enforcement are more likely to regard community building as an important police goal. Research limitations/implications – Future research should continue to explore factors that influence officers' occupational attitudes and incorporate more attitudinal dimensions into the analysis. Future projects should also target local station officers from different departments. Originality/value – This study represents one of the first attempts to empirically assess Chinese police cadets' work-related attitudes. Findings of the study provide Chinese police administrators with useful references and directions to improve police training and enhance police-community relations.

The diffusion of accreditation among Florida police agencies : Table of Contents

William G. Doerner, William M. Doerner — Sat Nov 14 08:00:19 GMT 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine how the adoption of state accreditation has diffused or spread among Florida municipal police law enforcement agencies. Design/methodology/approach – The study group consists of all municipal police departments operating continuously in the State of Florida from 1997 through 2006. Independent variables are taken from an annual survey, sponsored by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, to compare agencies that became accredited (n=81) with agencies that did not gain state accreditation (n=189). Findings – While accredited agencies differ from non-accredited agencies on a host of indicators at the zero-order, it does not appear that the state accreditation process itself is responsible for nurturing organizational change. Having received national accreditation is an important predictor of gaining state accreditation. Research limitations/implications – Instead of looking at organizational details, future researchers might wish to conceive of accreditation as a credentialing process and concentrate on characteristics of agency leaders, especially those who are seeking upward mobility in their professional careers. Practical implication – State accreditation status has reached only a small portion of the intended audience and appears to have morphed into a credential rather than an actual tool for meaningful reform. Originality/value – This paper informs accreditation oversight bodies as to who their self-selected constituents tend to be and which members of the target audience are not being reached.

Towards the unification of policing innovations under community policing : Table of Contents

Matthew C. Scheider, Robert Chapman, Amy Schapiro — Sat Nov 14 08:00:19 GMT 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine how various policing innovations, including problem-oriented policing, broken windows, intelligence-led policing, Compstat, third-party policing, and hot spots, could be integrated into the community policing philosophy. Design/methodology/approach – The paper provides a definition of community policing and individually examines each policing innovation to determine how they fit within the community policing philosophy. Findings – The findings suggest that various policing innovations are wholly compatible with the community policing philosophy and that incorporating these innovations into community policing may improve their overall utility and the likelihood of their adoption. Research limitations/implications – The paper highlights the need for new ideas in policing to be built into existing policing innovations rather than developed in isolation. Practical implications – The findings have implications for how law enforcement agencies fundamentally approach their work and come to understand and use policing innovations and how they are developed by scholars. Originality/value – The paper is valuable to scholars and police practitioners because it clarifies the community policing philosophy and unifies various ideas regarding policing under one framework.

Women Special Agents in Charge: the first generation : Table of Contents

Dorothy Moses Schulz — Sat Nov 14 08:00:19 GMT 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide findings of an exploratory study of Special Agents in Charge (SACs) in a variety of federal law enforcement agencies and presents summary descriptions, including demographics and career paths of female agents. Design/methodology/approach – Incumbent SACs, reached with assistance from law enforcement organizations and through snowball techniques, anonymously completed questionnaires that were mailed to each individually. This methodology provided a snapshot in time of the first generation of women to have reached the rank of SAC. Findings – The findings suggest that women are moving up the ranks of federal agencies even while their overall percentages of employment have become somewhat static. Regardless of type or size of federal agency, there are a number of common career paths and the ages and racial demographics of the women are also similar across agencies. Practical implications – As federal agency recruitment of women seems to have stagnated, a portrait of women who have reached middle management may provide insight into the obstacles women face in these agencies and also into how some women have overcome these obstacles. Originality/value – The findings are derived from the first ever study of women SACs. In addition to providing a snapshot of incumbent women, it will provide baseline data for later studies of future generations of women who move up in the ranks of federal law enforcement.

Is neighborhood context a confounder?: Exploring the effects of citizen race and neighborhood context on satisfaction with the police : Table of Contents

Mengyan Dai, Richard R. Johnson — Sat Nov 14 08:00:19 GMT 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – The purpose of this study is to examine individual-level and community-level models of citizen satisfaction with the police with particular focus on the effects of citizen race and community context. Design/methodology/approach – Using data collected in a 1997 telephone survey of citizens in Cincinnati, Ohio, this study examines citizen satisfaction with the police with hierarchical linear modeling techniques. The sample includes 614 surveys in 29 neighborhoods. Findings – Results show that citizen race becomes an insignificant factor when neighborhood context is examined simultaneously in the hierarchical model. In addition, prior negative contacts and perceived lower quality of life are strong factors reducing the level of citizen satisfaction. Research limitations/implications – This study examines citizen satisfaction with the police in only one city, and therefore, more research is needed to investigate the role of city context. Practical implications – There are a number of ways for police agencies to improve citizen satisfaction. The results suggest that reducing unprofessional police conduct and improving neighborhood conditions are effective strategies. Originality/value – This study comprehensively examines different perspectives of citizen satisfaction with the police in a hierarchical model. It adds empirical evidence to the issue of race effects on citizen satisfaction in different neighborhoods.

Police use of force and the cumulative force factor : Table of Contents

Ross Wolf, Charlie Mesloh, Mark Henych, L. Frank Thompson — Sat Nov 14 08:00:19 GMT 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – This paper aims to build on and contribute to earlier studies on use of force by the police, and examines both officer and suspect force levels during altercations. Design/methodology/approach – Prior attempts to study non-lethal force have only recently begun to examine the multiple levels of force that may be used within a single encounter, advocating the use of a “force factor” approach. This study examines 4,303 “use of force” reports from the two agencies in Florida for a five-year period. Findings – Similar to prior studies which utilized data gathered by observation, this current study finds that law enforcement officers are operating at a force deficit; officer levels of force are consistently less than suspect resistance levels. Research limitations/implications – Data examined through police reports have certain inherent limitations, including the bias of the reporting officer. Analyses of these reports make it impossible for researchers to determine the length of each portion of a conflict. While verbal commands, threats, handcuffing, and takedowns may be important forces to review, they are not well represented in the data collected. Practical implications – These findings have critical implications for law enforcement by continuing to examine conflicts where police force is utilized, showing the importance of officers to be prepared to use decisive force at the point where verbal techniques and force de-escalation have failed. Originality/value – This paper is valuable to scholars and police practitioners because it continues to expand the scholarly review of police use of force, utilizing existing force continua to analyze the data, and taking into account levels of suspect resistance.

Small city community policing and citizen satisfaction : Table of Contents

Vivian B. Lord, Joseph B. Kuhns, Paul C. Friday — Sat Nov 14 08:00:19 GMT 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – This paper aims to examine the impact of the implementation of community-oriented policing and problem solving in a small city. Design/methodology/approach – Citizen surveys that measure perceptions and activities of the police are completed before and three years after broader implementation of community policing. Because the existing literature supports the influence of a number of individual, neighborhood, and situational characteristics, several variables are included and controlled. Findings – The results show that although the police invest a great deal of time building partnerships with and problem solving in neighborhoods, there are no significant differences over time in citizen satisfaction with police or in fear of crime. Personal contact with police mediates the influence of individual and neighborhood characteristics on citizen satisfaction. Police presence remains a common significant predictor of citizen satisfaction. Research limitations/implications – Ensuring anonymity of subjects requires different samples between data collection periods; however, the same stratified random sampling process is used both times. The pre/post research design allows for measuring changes over time, but the lack of a control city threatens internal and external validity. Practical implications – Citizen satisfaction is an important concern for all police and local governmental administrators; therefore, the findings of this study are useful for smaller agencies that are implementing or planning to implement community-oriented policing. Originality/value – With its focus on a small city and the capability to survey citizens before department-wide implementation, this article expands research conducted on citizen satisfaction with police in a small town.

Does politics matter? Cross-national correlates of police strength : Table of Contents

Rick Ruddell, Matthew O. Thomas — Sat Nov 14 08:00:19 GMT 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – This paper aims to examine the political, social, and legal factors that shape the deployment of the police in a cross-national sample of nations. Design/methodology/approach – Ordinary least squares regression models are used to investigate police strength in 70 developing and developed nations. Findings – Controlling for indicators of crime, development, and population-geography, it is found that political factors such as durability of the political regime, corruption, the presence of a black market, and state formation are significantly associated with police strength. Inconsistent with expectations, however, it is found that there is not a significant relationship between indicators of criminal justice system priorities, such as incarceration rates or use of the death penalty, and police strength. Research limitations/implications – A lack of indicators of property or violent crime for large samples of nations makes it difficult to discount the role of crime in the deployment of the police. Further, cross-national studies are hampered by a lack of data about the use of private security to bolster the formal activities of the police, or the role of the military in regulating social order. Practical implications – This study builds on the theoretical knowledge of how the police are deployed. A better understanding of police strength can contribute to discussions about a global policing community. Implications for theories of policing and criminal justice system operations are also outlined. Originality/value – Very few cross-national studies of criminal justice system operations have been conducted, and this study increases knowledge of global patterns of policing.