Emerald | Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies & Management

Women on patrol: an analysis of differences in officer arrest behavior

Kenneth J. Novak, Robert A. Brown, James Frank — 2011-11-08 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose – The current research seeks to examine whether officer gender influences the decision to arrest, and whether correlates of officer decision making vary across gender. Design/methodology/approach – Data on police-public encounters were systematically collected by performing social observations of police officers. Multivariate models were estimated to examine the correlates of arrest for all encounters, encounters involving male officers, and encounters involving female officers. Results were compared and contrasted across officer gender. Findings – Gender has little direct impact on the arrest decision; however, some variation exists depending on citizens' race, gender and demeanor. The most noteworthy differences were observed based upon whether officer actions are conducted in the presence of other members of the organization, and where these other members are in the organizational hierarchy. Female officers were significantly more likely to arrest when observed by supervisors, yet less likely to arrest in the presence of peers. The visibility to other organizational members conditions the decision to arrest differently for female officers. Research limitations/implications – The current research is limited to examining only the decision to arrest. Other discretionary choices made during police-public encounters are not explored. Practical implications – Results have implications for the examination of how social control is exercised across gender, and has implications for how organizations evaluate officer performance. Originality/value – This research expands the understanding of the influence of officer gender on arrest decision.

Detecting deception in written statements: The British Home Office study of scientific content analysis (SCAN)

Timothy W. Armistead — 2011-11-08 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to review the most recently published and most comprehensively designed study of scientific content analysis (SCAN), a widely used but rarely researched method of content analysis for detecting deception in written statements. Design/methodology/approach – The author reviewed the design, data, and findings of the study and performed statistical re-analysis of the raw data. Prior citations and critiques of the study by scholars also were reviewed. Findings – The design and data analysis of the British Home Office study are in part deficient. The design includes features of a quasi-experimental study which were operationalized poorly, and the data aggregation and analysis produced an incomplete and problematic interpretation of the raw data. Prior reviewers of the Home Office study erred in part in their understanding of the study's findings and deficiencies. Research limitations/implications – The research was limited to the raw data of the study, but even so, the results justify additional research on SCAN. In particular, studies should be designed that control for variables such as length of law enforcement career, educational level, number of written statements taken during the career, measures of verbal intelligence, and pre-SCAN-training ability to detect deception in statements. The design and analysis flaws of the Home Office study which are identified in the paper would also need to be avoided. Originality/value – This is the first published paper to identify the full range of design and data analysis deficiencies of the Home Office study and to argue that its data nonetheless support the recommendation that SCAN be researched more thoroughly.

Victimization, stress and use of force among South Korean police officers

Jinseong Cheong, Ilhong Yun — 2011-11-08 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose – This study aims to assess the direct and indirect impact of stress on police use of force among a sample of male South Korean frontline officers (n=574). Design/methodology/approach – Largely drawing on a methodological approach adopted by Manzoni and Eisner the paper employs a structural equation modeling approach. Findings – The study discovered a direct positive influence of operational stress on use of force frequency, even while controlling for police routine activities and police victimization. Originality/value – The findings of this study and their implications are discussed in depth against the unique South Korean background where frontline officers are routinely victimized by suspects and citizens.

Correlates of police academy success

Benjamin Wright, Mengyan Dai, Kathryn Greenbeck — 2011-11-08 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of the current study is to expand the existing knowledge base that seeks to determine which pre-employment factors can predict which police candidates will successfully complete the training academy. Design/methodology/approach – The data for this study were collected from application and personnel records of 503 police recruits accepted into the Baltimore County police academy. The dependent variable, success in the academy, was measured as a dichotomous variable (1=graduated; 0=not graduated). The independent variables were routine employment factors. Findings – A key finding was that general work experience was better at predicting successful completion of the training academy than prior police experience and prior military experience. Research limitations/implications – In this particular study it was determined that police recruits who had a prior arrest record or prior illegal drug use and also had prior work experience could successfully complete the police training academy. However, these results are limited to those police organizations that give individuals who had a negative encounter with law enforcement a second chance. Originality/value – Few studies have examined the relationship between background characteristics and successful completion of the police training academy. This study broadens the understanding of the need for police applicants to have a solid record of general work experience.

Adolescent attitudes toward the police in a western Canadian city

Henry P.H. Chow — 2011-11-08 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose – The primary purpose of this paper is to examine attitudes toward the police in a sample of Canadian adolescents. Design/methodology/approach – Using survey data collected from 262 students attending 14 different high schools in a western Canadian city, the paper analyses adolescents' attitudes toward the local police. Criminal victimisation experience, police harassment or mistreatment experience, engagement in delinquent behaviour, and attitudes toward school among respondents were also explored. Findings – The results demonstrated that respondents were only marginally positive in their evaluations of the police. Multiple ordinary least-squares regression analysis demonstrated that respondents who were older and those who held more positive school attitudes, experienced no police mistreatment or harassment, reported no criminal victimisation, and exhibited lower propensity to engage in unlawful activities were found to rate the overall police performance significantly more favourably. Research limitations/implications – As this study reports data based on a non-random sample of high school students in one Canadian city, caution must be exercised in interpreting the results. Continued research attention should be devoted to high school student populations in other geographical locations. Practical implications – Survey findings underscore the importance of the implementation of programs to foster a positive relationship between the police and young people, the promotion of student engagement with school, and the adoption of intervention strategies to reduce delinquent behaviour among at-risk adolescents. Originality/value – As only very few studies have explored police-youth relations in Canada, this analysis offers insights into adolescents' perceptions of the police and factors contributing to their attitudes.

Enhancing police legitimacy by integrating Compstat and community policing

James J. Willis — 2011-11-08 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to examine how Compstat and community policing, two of the most highly-touted police reforms to have emerged in the US over the last 25 years, might be integrated to help enhance police organizational legitimacy. Design/methodology/approach – The article provides a conceptual framework to illuminate the different ways that each of these reforms, at least in theory, tries to promote legitimacy. In doing so, it proposes that Compstat's focus on outcomes might be more tightly linked to community policing's emphasis on the processes through which police interact with community members. Findings – The article suggests three possible ways for police organizations to develop public trust and support: systematic reporting of community problems at Compstat meetings; involving the community in problem-solving efforts; and using Compstat maps and statistics to help mitigate perceptions of unfairness. Research limitations/implications – The article highlights the value of alternative conceptualizations for co-implementing Compstat and community policing and the need for testing these ideas. Practical implications – Identifying some different ways that Compstat and community policing may help foster favorable social judgments of police organizations could lead law enforcement agencies to reconsider how these reforms are currently co-implemented in their departments. Social implications – A more integrated Compstat and community policing model could potentially contribute to fairer and more responsive policing practices. Originality/value – The paper is valuable to scholars, practitioners, and policymakers because it lays out a framework for understanding the legitimacy-conferring benefits of these reforms and provides some practical suggestions for how they might be more closely linked.

Emphasizing the servant in public service: the opinions of police managers

Gennaro F. Vito, Geetha Suresh, George E. Richards — 2011-11-08 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to determine the opinion of 126 police managers from 23 US states regarding their ideal leadership style as expressed under the items of the leader behavior description questionnaire (LBDQ). Design/methodology/approach – Police managers attending a management course – the Administrative Officer's Course at the Southern Police Institute during the academic year 2007-2008 – were surveyed regarding their opinions of ideal leadership styles. They responded to items on the leadership behavior questionnaire. The analysis is based on this survey. Findings – Item analysis of their responses revealed the existence of three subscales (servant, autocratic, and laissez-faire leadership), ANOVA revealed a strong preference for the style of servant leadership. These results indicate that these police managers believe that leaders should follow the tenets of servant leadership. They rejected the creeds of both the autocratic, command and control method and the hands-off, detached style of laissez-faire leadership. Policing has been long considered an autocratic, quasi-military organization, yet these police managers expressed a decided preference for servant leadership. Research limitations/implications – Taking into account the limitations of the data set used in current analyses, the sample characteristics and the sample size, results should be interpreted cautiously. The sample used in this analysis is not a probability sample and cannot be considered representative for the entire population of American police officers. Because this is only an exploratory analysis, the sample used was relatively small. In addition, the LBDQ may not be the most appropriate scale to assess levels of servant leadership. Future studies on this subject and population should take heed of these limitations. However, due to the positive responses received from this sample concerning the applicability of servant leadership in police organizations, justification for further research on this subject is warranted. Originality/value – The results indicate this sample of police managers believe that leaders should follow the tenets of servant leadership as expressed under the items of the leader behavior description questionnaire. Compared to these values, they rejected the creeds of both the autocratic, command and control method and the hands-off, detached style of laissez-faire leadership. Policing has been long considered an autocratic, quasi-military organization, yet these police managers expressed a decided preference for the style of servant leadership. Perhaps a new wave of leaders is coming to policing with different ways of thinking about how the organization should operate.

The role of research and planning units in law enforcement organizations

Cory P. Haberman, William R. King — 2011-11-08 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose – This paper seeks to empirically describe the role of research and planning units within contemporary, local police organizations in the US. Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected from a national survey of police organizations, municipal police agencies and sheriffs' offices in the US and analyzed using univariate statistics. Findings – The findings demonstrate that the task scope of research and planning units (RPU) within local law enforcement organizations is heterogeneous. RPUs perform a range of tasks and these tasks differ from one agency to another. When separate tasks are aggregated into broader categories, the data reveal that, overall, RPUs focus primarily on administrative tasks. Practical implications – These findings suggest that RPUs primarily focus on administrative support tasks rather than research and planning projects. Thus, RPUs may be underutilized by law enforcement organizations. These findings suggest that administrators consider how the task scope of RPUs can be refocused to help law enforcement agencies achieve their goals. Originality/value – This paper empirically updates the understanding of the tasks and functions of contemporary police research and planning units.

Women on SWAT teams: separate but equal?

Mary Dodge, Laura Valcore, Frances Gomez — 2011-11-08 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose – This article aims to examine male and female police officers' perspectives concerning women participating on special weapons and tactical (SWAT) teams. The study seeks to explore differences in opinions on a woman's ability to gain entrance and perform in a traditionally male-dominated subculture. Design/methodology/approach – A self-report survey was distributed to a purposive sample of 202 police officers in the US. Male SWAT officers and females from seven agencies responded to 13 Likert-type items and provided demographic information on years of experience, rank, and race. Findings – The results show that male SWAT members are somewhat receptive to a woman becoming a team member; however, they are more likely than women to believe that females lack the needed strength and skills. Female officers perceive themselves as competent and valuable additions to SWAT. Research limitations/implications – Although the research is exploratory and the findings are difficult to generalize, the results suggest that law enforcement's militaristic nature and role specialization continue to impede integrating female officers into SWAT subcultures. Originality/value – This study is the first to employ quantitative methods to explore police officers' attitudes and gender's role in SWAT assignments.

Factors affecting strategy commitment to community-oriented policing (COP) among South Korean police officers

Chang-Hun Lee, Chang-Bae Lee — 2011-11-08 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose – Prior studies examining the relationship between organizational commitment and organizational behavior contain several limitations, such as mixed levels of measurement and lack of empirical study in different social contexts. Using Mowday, Porter, and Steers's approach, this study aims to investigate individual demographic, personal, departmental and community characteristics as factors affecting police officers' levels of strategy commitment. Design/methodology/approach – Using attitudinal measures of individual, departmental, and community traits, which were developed by Michigan Regional Community Policing Institute, the current study collected data from 206 randomly selected South Korean police officers who were designated as community-oriented policing (COP) officers or who were under COP training at the time of the survey. Findings – The current study found that officers' creativity and community ownership were significantly related to strategy commitment to COP. In addition, it was found that officers' demographic characteristics were not significantly related to the levels of commitment to COP. Regarding departmental characteristics, supportive climate among officers was significantly and positively related to officers' levels of commitment to COP. Finally, officers in rural agencies were more likely to have higher levels of commitment to COP in South Korea. Research limitations/implications – Although the current study utilized random samples for data collection, the size of the data set was relatively small. Thus, generalization of the findings from this study should be cautiously carried out. Based on the findings, policy implications are suggested. Originality/value – The current study attempts to identify factors affecting commitment to COP at multiple levels (individual, organizational and community levels) using attitudinal measures of various aspects of policing in South Korea. The findings will add to the comparative understanding on officers' commitment to COP.

International Police Cooperation: Emerging Issues, Theory, and Practice

2011-11-08 00:00:00.0

Policing on the web

2011-11-08 00:00:00.0

Effective policing: management influence and the commitment of senior police personnel

2011-11-08 00:00:00.0

Effect of suspect race on officers’ arrest decisions’

2011-11-08 00:00:00.0

Police integrity: rankings of scenarios on the Klockars scale by management cops

2011-11-08 00:00:00.0

Editorial

2011-11-08 00:00:00.0