JournalTOCs

Police Journal : Theory, Practice and Principles
Number of Followers: 322

Hybrid journal (It can contain Open Access articles)
ISSN (Print) 0032-258X - ISSN (Online) 1740-5599
Published by Sage Publications

[1176 journals]

Positive action paradox in UK police recruitment: A critical perspective
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  Authors: Ian Hesketh, Gareth Stubbs
  Abstract: The Police Journal, Ahead of Print.
  Police recruitment across the UK is under intense political and social pressure to increase representation and legitimacy. This layered in to a quest to raise the number of police officers in England and Wales by 20,000. However, despite decades of reform initiatives, police recruitment continues to be a challenging and potentially exclusionary process for candidates from ethnic minority backgrounds. Research in this area mainly comprises macro-level process evaluation and subsequent extrapolation of the results into positive action initiatives. There is a paucity of research at the micro-interaction level among social actors. In this paper, we present a case study of police recruitment in a large English Police Constabulary over four recruitment cohorts in 2018. We conducted 26 long-form, in-depth interviews with new police recruits. Utilising the embeddedness theoretical framework based on sociological studies of the labour market, we attempt to understand police recruitment at the micro-social interaction level. We demonstrate that police recruitment has a high level of social embeddedness within the Constabulary. Candidates utilise social connections throughout the recruitment process to develop competence in the recruitment stages, while also building their respective police social identities. Although positive action recipients also receive significant organisational and instrumental support, they build a relationship with the abstract organisation and not existing police officers. This creates an imbalance in social identity development and may have implications for how positive action initiative recipients may struggle within the policing environment. Further implications exist for positive action design and implementation.
  Citation: The Police Journal
  PubDate: 2023-05-26T09:37:25Z
  DOI: 10.1177/0032258X231172030
A question of credibility: A focus group study examining the experiences
of workers attending counter-terrorism training in UK crowded places
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  Authors: Dylan Aplin
  Abstract: The Police Journal, Ahead of Print.
  The UK authorities have exponentially increased the number of counter-terrorism (CT) training activities being delivered by the Police Service to workers in crowded places. Counter-terrorism training events are designed to help prevent attacks by raising awareness to hostile reconnaissance, assist workers to cope at the time of an incident, and aid recovery after an attack. This focus group study provided a reality check of what is happening on the ground in sessions. Eight focus groups were conducted in significant crowded places (N = 55) and targeted workers who had already been in receipt of CT training. It found a paucity of evidence to indicate the effectiveness of CT training activities in improving the resilience of the public realm. Respondents supported the benefits of realistic and experiential training events closely related to their places of work. At the same time, they recounted how events were often poorly organised and delivered, with some CT practitioners lacking credibility. Sessions were often not based on learning need and were seldom evaluated. A series of recommendations are made to improve the credibility of CT products and their delivery, coupled with strategies to potentially aide evaluation and embedded organisational learning from events.
  Citation: The Police Journal
  PubDate: 2023-05-23T02:07:45Z
  DOI: 10.1177/0032258X231174992
The power of anonymity: An exploratory study into the role of
Crimestoppers in reporting and investigating crime in England and Wales
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  Authors: Ella Rabaiotti, Richard Smith
  Abstract: The Police Journal, Ahead of Print.
  The UK charity Crimestoppers supports the police by taking and passing on information about crime. However, its service has been subject to little examination. This paper explores how Crimestoppers acts as an enabler to reporting crime and assists the police in solving crime. A small-scale qualitative study, using semi-structured interviews, was conducted with participants drawn from Crimestoppers’ contact centre and two Welsh police forces. Following a thematic analysis, the overarching finding submits that ‘anonymity’ is the golden thread which preserves Crimestoppers existence. The charity has a strong relationship with the police and exists in a network of plural policing.
  Citation: The Police Journal
  PubDate: 2023-05-17T01:04:06Z
  DOI: 10.1177/0032258X231171029
A Review of COVID-19 Deaths among Law Enforcement Officers in the United
States
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  Authors: Jamie L Boydstun, Makeela J Wells
  Abstract: The Police Journal, Ahead of Print.
  The purpose of this study is to investigate the characteristics of law enforcement officers in the United States who died from COVID-19 in 2020–2021. Data were drawn from the Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP) website. Results reveal that 729 law enforcement officers died from COVID-19 between 2020 and 2021, with the majority of these deaths occurring in the southern region of the United States. Additionally, a larger percentage of COVD-19 deaths were reported for officers who were male, White, and older compared to officers of color, younger officers, and female officers.
  Citation: The Police Journal
  PubDate: 2023-03-28T11:04:58Z
  DOI: 10.1177/0032258X231164577
Examining reasons for victim retraction in domestic violence and abuse: A
qualitative analysis of police retraction statements in the United Kingdom
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  Authors: Anna Hopkins
  Abstract: The Police Journal, Ahead of Print.
  Understanding the factors that influence domestic violence and abuse (DVA) victims to withdraw from the Criminal Justice System globally continues to be a key focus for professionals and academics working within this area. There is a dearth of extant literature examining the motivations behind victim withdrawal, particularly retraction occurring post provision of an initial statement. This paper examines the phenomenon of retraction, by thematically analysing N = 60 police retraction statements (PRS) collected by police officers in a large suburban police force in the North West of England. In examining these statements, insight can also be garnered from those victims still in an active relationship with their abusers. Findings highlight female victims’ motivations for retraction and are framed around victim problem solving including: a) accepting the relationship which resulted in a discordance in proceeding with the prosecution of the abuser b) rejecting the relationship thereby rendering the prosecution as redundant c) engaging in procedural problem solving where alternative measures such as civil actions were sought to substitute a CJS prosecution and d) the effect of children where motivations were split between retracting to return to the complete family unit including the victim as the mother and retracting due to recognising the importance of the father’s role without involvement from the mother. Notwithstanding limitations, this paper demonstrates that there is significant value in conducting an analysis of PRSs in furthering the understanding of why victims choose to retract at this point in their prosecution journey. The extracts from this dataset add insight and understanding into DVA female victim motivations to retract post-initial statement provision and highlight the differences within victim populations who retract their original statement.
  Citation: The Police Journal
  PubDate: 2023-02-28T12:03:56Z
  DOI: 10.1177/0032258X231159807
Sexual harassment and abuse in law enforcement: Best practices for
creating safety for female officers
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  Authors: Monnica T Williams, Amy Bartlett, Manzar Zare, Nathan Custer, Muna Osman
  Abstract: The Police Journal, Ahead of Print.
  Organizational culture, policies, and procedures can prevent or promote sexual violence. Lensed through a case study of one woman police officer and her abuse, this paper examines the organizational issues surrounding sexual harassment and abuse in law enforcement and the impact on officers' psychological well-being. We review issues surrounding workplace discrimination that pose hurdles to reporting. We present concrete guidelines for promoting gender equity, workplace safety, and accountability for reports of sexual abuse and misconduct in law enforcement. This paper is a call-to-action and resource to improve practices for managing sexual harassment and abuse to improve safety of female officers.
  Citation: The Police Journal
  PubDate: 2023-02-13T03:15:33Z
  DOI: 10.1177/0032258X231156714
Mindfulness training for law enforcement to reduce occupational impact: A
systematic review and meta-analysis
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  Authors: Ashley Withrow, Katie Russell, Braveheart Gillani
  Abstract: The Police Journal, Ahead of Print.
  Law enforcement officers are frequently subjected to highly stressful and traumatic situations with increased negative physical and mental health outcomes. Mindfulness is proposed as a means of improving self-reported physical or mental health outcomes, including depression, anxiety, burnout, and sleep disturbances. This meta-analysis aims to pool the results from studies evaluating mindfulness for police officers, providing an overall effect size for each outcome of interest. Through systematic review, four studies were identified for meta-analysis. Fixed and random inverse variance effects were used. Results indicate that mindfulness-based intervention programs likely decrease depression and may result in reductions of anxiety and burnout.
  Citation: The Police Journal
  PubDate: 2023-02-11T01:25:25Z
  DOI: 10.1177/0032258X231156710
The role of psychological surveillance in reducing harm and building
resilience in police forensic investigators
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  Authors: Noreen Tehrani
  Abstract: The Police Journal, Ahead of Print.
  Police staff working in digital forensics, scenes of crime and accident investigators as forensic investigators are exposed to scenes and materials which are highly distressing. Two thousand twenty-eight forensic investigators completed a psychological surveillance survey measuring the proportion of investigators above the cut-off level of anxiety, depression, PTSD, burnout, and secondary trauma. The results showed that forensic investigators had higher symptoms than those found in police officers. Measures of workability and health beliefs were used to identify the most significant hazards and resilience factors for this group. The paper provides recommendations for interventions to reduce the levels of psychological distress.
  Citation: The Police Journal
  PubDate: 2023-01-16T02:15:37Z
  DOI: 10.1177/0032258X231151996
Exploring beliefs around low rates of female participation in Canadian
police emergency response teams
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  Authors: Kevin Cyr, Rosemary Ricciardelli
  Abstract: The Police Journal, Ahead of Print.
  We present findings from an exploratory study on women’s participation in Emergency Response Teams (ERT). Our findings are based on a qualitative analysis of open-ended questions in a survey of ERT units (n = 30) across Canada. We find women rarely apply for positions on ERT. While respondent answers cite many of the usual barriers—from “lack of interest” to “physical fitness standards”—our interpretation of these themes suggests that appraisals of the requirements to attain and retain these positions may lead potential women applicants to conclude the requirements are too steep, or too biased in favor of men.
  Citation: The Police Journal
  PubDate: 2022-12-05T11:28:22Z
  DOI: 10.1177/0032258X221143926
The police journal Restorative Justice in roads policing
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  Authors: Andrew Lavanchy
  Abstract: The Police Journal, Ahead of Print.
  With advocates for Restorative Justice arguing that punitive punishments through prosecution alone do little to prevent offending, it must be examined why restorative practices are not more frequently used to tackle road-related harm. In Roads Policing, the victim rarely has an opportunity to take part in the rehabilitation of an offender for their specific offence. Educational courses currently exist for offenders that cause low-level harm (or potential harm) on the roads, yet there appears to be no voice for the specific victim; instead, they must rely on an offender being deterred from future offending by general education or enforcement.
  Citation: The Police Journal
  PubDate: 2022-12-02T07:53:08Z
  DOI: 10.1177/0032258X221143929
Improving child sexual exploitation material investigations:
Recommendations based on a review of recent research findings
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  Authors: Chad MS Steel, Emily Newman, Suzanne O’Rourke, Ethel Quayle
  Abstract: The Police Journal, Ahead of Print.
  Child sexual exploitation material (CSEM) investigations have emerged as an area of specialization that combines multiple skillsets. Recent research has reshaped how we view CSEM offenders – they have different offense-supportive cognitions from contact sex offenders, their use of technology is no longer based on anecdotal evidence, and approaches to investigative planning, interviewing and forensics have evolved. This paper summarizes select, relevant areas of recent research related to CSEM investigations, and makes evidence-based recommendations for evolving how we approach these efforts. Current trends from other domains, including contact tracing and mental health considerations in a remote-working environment are additionally addressed.
  Citation: The Police Journal
  PubDate: 2022-11-28T12:02:40Z
  DOI: 10.1177/0032258X221142525
The prevalence of depression, anxiety, stress and their relationship to
length of service in the UK police force
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  Authors: Paul Gullon-Scott, Laura Longstaff
  Abstract: The Police Journal, Ahead of Print.
  Policing is considered a highly stressful role, and police officers are at risk of mental health issues during their service. This is an area which has gained increasing attention in recent years, but further research, using validated measures, is needed to help identify other factors that are important and ensure further development as well as evidence-based, bespoke intervention. The current study sought to explore the general prevalence of stress, depression and anxiety in a UK sample of police officers, to examine whether length of service moderates the effects of stress, depression and anxiety, and whether certain personality traits protect against these. A self-report questionnaire was completed by 177 serving UK police officers from 10 different regions. Results revealed clinical levels of anxiety and depression, and comorbid presentations of major depression and anxiety, at rates significantly higher than reported in the general population. Results indicated officers are most at risk of experiencing stress during the first 15 years of their service, and that officers’ stress was organisational rather than trauma related. Additionally, officers higher in traits of extraversion and lower in neuroticism reported lower anxiety. The results of these findings are discussed, and suggestions have been made based on the current findings.
  Citation: The Police Journal
  PubDate: 2022-11-28T02:12:51Z
  DOI: 10.1177/0032258X221140813
Embedding Evidence-Based Policing (EBP): A UK case study exploring
organisational challenges
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  Authors: Helen Selby-Fell, Andrew Newton
  Abstract: The Police Journal, Ahead of Print.
  This paper explores organisational challenges of embedding ‘Evidence-Based Policing’ (EBP) using a mixed methods design sampled across a range of ranks/roles, in a case study UK police force. Key organisational constraints identified include limited awareness of/access to research evidence, lack of resources, capability concerns, and challenges related to organisational culture and leadership. Organisational constraints were disproportionately experienced by lower ranking officers and staff, and senior officers were not fully cognisant of these challenges. There is a need to better equip officers and staff of all ranks to engage with EBP and address the identified organisational challenges.
  Citation: The Police Journal
  PubDate: 2022-10-31T01:43:28Z
  DOI: 10.1177/0032258X221128404
Emerging results on the impact of COVID-19 on police training in the
United Kingdom
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  Authors: Eric Halford, Lindsay Youansamouth
  Abstract: The Police Journal, Ahead of Print.
  The emergence of COVID-19 impacted teaching across the globe and this study is the first to examine the impact it had on the delivery of training within policing by seeking to address how police services in the United Kingdom adapted their delivery during the pandemic. The study achieves this by focussing on 3 aims (1) How did police services in the United Kingdom adapt delivery of training and education during the COVID-19 pandemic' (2) What was the impact of the adaptations' For example, what worked and what did not' (3) What can be done in preparedness for future significant interruptions in police training and education' In pursuing these aims, the study identifies reliance on predominately pedagogic approaches such as increased use of the National Centre for Applied Learning Technologies (NCALT), instructor led power-point presentations and pre-recorded material, undermining engagement and motivation towards training amongst officers. Discussion outlines proposals for improving present police training and in future pandemics.
  Citation: The Police Journal
  PubDate: 2022-10-29T10:25:45Z
  DOI: 10.1177/0032258X221137004
Stress-related psychosocial risk factors among police officers working on
Rape and Serious Sexual Offences
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  Authors: Linda Maguire, Arun Sondhi
  Abstract: The Police Journal, Ahead of Print.
  This study describes police attitudes and perceptions of health and wellbeing among police officers who work on Rape and Serious Sexual Offences (RASSO) cases. A mixed-methods approach was deployed including a cross-sectional online survey of RASSO officers and a qualitative study involving in-depth interviews in one English Police Force Area. Findings show that organisational policies have little salience. There is an entrenched culture of continuing to work despite being unwell, to provide operational support for colleagues. There is a need to develop specific strategies that reduce the stress for a team or unit-level for this cohort of police officers.
  Citation: The Police Journal
  PubDate: 2022-10-07T08:59:07Z
  DOI: 10.1177/0032258X221128398
Collaborative working and building partnership: Bringing the two worlds
together
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  Authors: Kate Strudwick, Lee Johnson, Peter Dyer
  Abstract: The Police Journal, Ahead of Print.
  This paper shares lessons learnt through a partnership project, the Blue Light Programme, by presenting a discussion of key themes inherent in building collaborations between academia and policing. With a focus on sharing experiences with the partnership project, where the academics took the role of a critical friend as part of the project team, the paper explores the balances with meeting both academic and practical considerations. The article explores connecting cultures within the research project and provides insights into partnership approaches with policing and other emergency services. The article purposely does not present results of the partnership project but explores the balance and relationships built between organisations. Presenting wider contextual references on policing culture, the reality of insider and outsider perspectives, the benefits and challenges arising through the role of critical friends in collaboration projects are explored. As critical friends, there was an acknowledgement of the dynamism between the services in the project, its collectiveness in practice, where the project team were able to use the critical friends as a supporting role, one which placed integrity and good methodological practice as the forefront in project evaluation between academia and policing. The paper concludes with observations on moving forward with partnership roles, and the ways to achieve shared goals, where paths enhancing collaborative working can align despite often coming from two different directions.
  Citation: The Police Journal
  PubDate: 2022-09-29T08:41:02Z
  DOI: 10.1177/0032258X221128406
Professionalising the police pragmatically
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  Authors: John McCanney, Julie C Taylor, Karen Morris
  Abstract: The Police Journal, Ahead of Print.
  The College of Policing has stated its intention to have policing recognised as a profession. In pursuit of this ambition, they have created a Code of Ethics and introduced a graduate entry requirement for new recruits. These changes reflect common features of established professions such as medicine and the law.Another common feature of established professions is an established body of knowledge that informs professional practice. The College has developed a Crime Reduction Toolkit as the genesis of a knowledge base for policing. The evidence presented on the toolkit is generally based on random control trials and their systematic review. While this is accords with the evidence-based approach supported by the College and others it has been criticised as being too quantitative. Some commentators have argued that it overlooks the qualitative approaches such as ethnography which have been the traditional research approach to the study of policing and ignores the voice of practitioners. It is generally accepted that to date research has had little impact on policing practice.This article argues for the adoption of a pragmatic philosophical framework for the development and application of a professional knowledge-based for policing. Pragmatic philosophy would facilitate the incorporation of both qualitative and quantitative research into the creation of a knowledgebase. Furthermore, pragmatism is an action-oriented philosophy that accords with the College of Policing’s ‘what works’ agenda, and would not only accommodate practitioner research but provides a structure for changes to current practices that are needed if the police are to become a profession
  Citation: The Police Journal
  PubDate: 2022-09-29T07:06:49Z
  DOI: 10.1177/0032258X221128401
From active police duty to civilian life: The role of peer support
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  Authors: Annie Venville, Tina Kostecki, David McGowan, Rebecca Lynch
  Abstract: The Police Journal, Ahead of Print.
  This qualitative study explores the contribution of peer support to the mental health and wellbeing of police veterans. Thematic analysis of interview data with veterans (n = 7), partners (n = 1) and veteran peer support officers (n = 10) captures the participant experience. Two key themes were integral to the contribution peer support makes to veteran wellbeing. First, the centrality of police identity and the importance of belonging to a supportive police community. Second, the need for hope and possibilities in transitioning from policing to civilian life. Social work services and trained peers provide veterans with a road map for re-building a life and identity away from the force.
  Citation: The Police Journal
  PubDate: 2022-09-28T09:06:38Z
  DOI: 10.1177/0032258X221129866
Police-Specific physical performance of men and women with different body
heights
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  Authors: Marvin Zedler, Jan-Peter Goldmann
  Abstract: The Police Journal, Ahead of Print.
  Worldwide different criteria are used for dealing with body height as an access restriction for the police service, but none of the defined minimum heights is supported by scientific research. Therefore, the objectives of the present work were to analyse tall and short men and women on their police-specific physical performance and their interaction with police-related personal protective equipment (PPE) in police-specific situations. For this purpose, the entire work was divided into four sub-studies, which included both laboratory and field tests. Wearing PPE significantly (p < 0.05) reduced vertical jump performance independently of body height. Resilience to external forces (impacts) and pulling force in different grip heights were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced for shorter subjects. Short subjects needed significantly (p < 0.05) more time for rescuing and recovering a person from a car than tall subjects. These results provide evidence that taller subjects perform superior in police-specific scenarios.
  Citation: The Police Journal
  PubDate: 2022-09-14T08:28:17Z
  DOI: 10.1177/0032258X221126066
From the eagle’s nest: Texas sheriffs’ views on illegal
immigration
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  Authors: Michele Bisaccia Meitl, Ashley Wellman, Patrick Kinkaid
  Abstract: The Police Journal, Ahead of Print.
  Local elected sheriffs increasingly have responsibility to implement immigration policies, yet sheriffs are rarely studied in criminal justice. By measuring the attitudes of Texas sheriffs, we seek to understand their important views on immigration in the United States. A census was completed with Texas sheriffs in late 2019 and early 2020. Views were sought on (1) controlling unauthorized immigration, (2) pathways to citizenship, and (3) unauthorized immigration and crime. A strong return rate captured the views of 142 (56%) respondent sheriffs from both rural and urban counties. Findings indicate that a majority of Texas sheriffs see a link between authorized immigrants and crime, see a limited path to citizenship and view the primary enforcement of immigration to be a federal prerogative. Practical implications and future research are discussed.
  Citation: The Police Journal
  PubDate: 2022-08-09T01:28:50Z
  DOI: 10.1177/0032258X221117363
Police responses to cyberstalking during the Covid-19 pandemic in the UK
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  Authors: Elena Martellozzo, Paul Bleakley, Paula Bradbury, Stewart Frost, Emma Short
  Abstract: The Police Journal, Ahead of Print.
  This research aims to explore how police officers responded to cyberstalking during the unprecedented period of the Covid-19 pandemic (March 2020–April 2021). More specifically, it aims to report the police experience of responding to cases of stalking, including cyberstalking, during this period; to explore officer confidence in identifying cyberstalking and to explore the challenges faced by frontline police. One hundred and two frontline police officers from two British forces took part in the online survey and, subsequently, ten officers and six key stakeholders each participated in a one-hour qualitative interview. The data indicate that the Covid-19 pandemic has prompted an increase in cyberstalking, and this has been attributed, by both the police and stakeholders, to the lockdown whereby people worked from home, had more time to become tech savvy and, as a result, developed digital skills that facilitate cyberstalking. Furthermore, it emerged that there is professional uncertainty among officers surrounding cyberstalking and how to deal with the problem effectively. However, this uncertainty is unquestionably not related to the lack of officers’ motivation, but to absence of a stalking screening tool that addresses cyberstalking, accompanied by effective multiagency training that would assist officers to understand the nature of the issue and to respond to it effectively.
  Citation: The Police Journal
  PubDate: 2022-07-12T04:28:48Z
  DOI: 10.1177/0032258X221113452
Exploring police culture and reform strategies post charing cross:
Insights from the literature
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  Authors: Allison Turner
  Abstract: The Police Journal, Ahead of Print.
  This paper examines cop culture and potential strategies for reform, following the publication of the Hotton Report at Charing Cross Police Station. This paper critically examines previous academic literature, to contribute to a highly topical matter. It also identifies strategies which have the potential to weaken an established and negative police culture, currently operating within the Metropolitan Police. Research findings within this paper, identify how cop culture remains a powerful mechanism within policing, acting as a barrier to reform. However, the findings also uncover that change is possible, through implementation of avenues involving education, increased diversity and transformational leadership.
  Citation: The Police Journal
  PubDate: 2022-07-12T04:20:27Z
  DOI: 10.1177/0032258X221107588
Experts’ views on improving the quality of non-stranger rape
complainants’ accounts
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  Authors: Sharita Gajadhar, Ray Bull
  Abstract: The Police Journal, Ahead of Print.
  Recent research consistently indicates that poor justice outcomes for non-stranger rape cases are caused in large part by limitations in the evidential relevance and judicial usefulness of accounts provided by complainants. As direct and other objective corroborating evidence is usually absent, the success of most police investigations and prosecutions of non-stranger rape relies heavily on complainants’ accounts. However, no study to date seems to have directly examined how the evidential relevance and judicial usefulness of such accounts can be improved. The present study explored the views of 16 American, Australian and British experts who work in the fields of sexual violence, investigative interviewing and criminal justice, on (a) information that needs to be elicited by police interviewers in order to obtain an evidentially relevant account from non-stranger rape complainants during their investigative interview; (b) requirements regarding a judicially useful account provided by non-stranger rape complainants and how these can be achieved; and (c) whether the current level of police interviewers’ knowledge of evidentially relevant and judicially useful accounts employed by them during investigative interviews with non-stranger rape complainants can be improved. And if so, how' Thematic analysis revealed three broad areas for improvements: (i) focus police interviewers’ questioning specifically on the legal elements and context of non-stranger rape; (ii) elicit clear, chronological and concise accounts; and (iii) provide evidence-based training and interview guidance. These areas, along with participants’ recommendations, are outlined. The implications of the present study and suggestions for future research are discussed.
  Citation: The Police Journal
  PubDate: 2022-07-07T09:51:44Z
  DOI: 10.1177/0032258X221113451
Policing gun crimes: A comprehensive review of strategies and
effectiveness
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  Authors: Allan Y Jiao
  Abstract: The Police Journal, Ahead of Print.
  This paper provides a comprehensive review of various studies of police initiatives and practices in dealing with gun crimes. It is aimed at developing a detailed as well as general understanding of different police strategies and their effectiveness in reducing gun crime. The results include two classifications, one on research designs and the other on various police strategies and their effectiveness. They suggest an expanded categorization of police strategies for addressing gun crimes from uniformed targeted patrols and focused deterrence to situational/routine activities and tech-driven law enforcement. Related issues and concerns including methodological flaws were also discussed.
  Citation: The Police Journal
  PubDate: 2022-07-06T08:53:04Z
  DOI: 10.1177/0032258X221113454
COVID-19, distress and potential trauma exposure in the police service of
England and Wales: A mixed method approach
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  Authors: Mary Elliott-Davies
  Abstract: The Police Journal, Ahead of Print.
  This study provides an initial exploration into the impact of COVID-19 on the exposure of police officers to potentially traumatic events and their subsequent impacts on wellbeing. Qualitative and quantitative data were gathered from over twelve thousand rank-and-file officers across England and Wales in Autumn 2020, via an online survey. The results not only identify several frequently experienced COVID-related duties and events that are potentially detrimental to officer wellbeing; but that these exposures are related to an officer’s rank and role. These results offer valuable information that may help forces target key resources towards those that need it most.
  Citation: The Police Journal
  PubDate: 2022-06-24T09:43:04Z
  DOI: 10.1177/0032258X221109463
Special beginnings: An explorative study of the early career experiences
of volunteer special constables
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  Authors: Iain Britton, Matthew Callender, Lois Farquharson
  Abstract: The Police Journal, Ahead of Print.
  The paper reports on a study of the early career experiences of voluntary Special Constables. The research identified the importance of practising, becoming and belonging for volunteers during initial training. Significant challenges in their early front-line practice were experienced alongside problems of processes, management, and organisation, and cultural challenges in terms of ‘fitting in’ and building relationships. The paper argues for the need to further professionalise police force approaches to new Special Constables and the need to shift away from a ‘finding their own way’ paradigm for new volunteer officers towards a structured, unified pathway of development.
  Citation: The Police Journal
  PubDate: 2022-06-17T03:17:44Z
  DOI: 10.1177/0032258X221109466
Understanding cybercrime in ‘real world’ policing and law
enforcement
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  Authors: Joanna Curtis, Gavin Oxburgh
  Abstract: The Police Journal, Ahead of Print.
  Cybercrime is a growing issue, still not fully understood by researchers or policing/law enforcement communities. UK Government reports assert that victims of cybercrime were unlikely to report crimes immediately due to the perception that police were ill-equipped to deal with these offences. Additionally, these reports identify policing issues including a lack of cybercrime knowledge. This paper reviews current research, providing a comprehensive account of cybercrime and addressing issues in policing such offences. We achieve this by describing the technological, individual, social and situational landscapes conducive to cybercrime, and how this knowledge may inform strategies to overcome current issues in investigations.
  Citation: The Police Journal
  PubDate: 2022-06-17T02:54:52Z
  DOI: 10.1177/0032258X221107584
The centralization and rapid deployment of police agency information
technologies: An appraisal of real-time crime centers in the U.S.
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  Authors: Kimberly Przeszlowski, Rob T Guerette, Joelle Lee-Silcox, Jose Rodriguez, Jaime Ramirez, Alejandro Gutierrez
  Abstract: The Police Journal, Ahead of Print.
  The newfound ability to deliver information to police in rapid timeframes has resulted in Real-Time Crime Centers (RTCCs) across the United States. Despite their emergence, little is known collectively about them. This study appraised the nature of RTCCs through a national survey of 44 police agencies. Findings revealed that (1) RTCCs have recently begun to diffuse rapidly but are still in an early innovation/adoption phase, (2) there is no single model of their use, (3) most procure a wide variety of technologies and information sources, and (4) most allow for information to be shared with partners in real-time.
  Citation: The Police Journal
  PubDate: 2022-06-15T10:09:28Z
  DOI: 10.1177/0032258X221107587
More lesson learning, less risk aversion in England and Wales' Prospects
for the police (conduct) regulations 2020
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  Authors: Robert Heaton, Stephen Tong
  Abstract: The Police Journal, Ahead of Print.
  This article assesses police lesson learning in the context of complaints. First, it discusses their incidence and accounts of complainants’ and officers' perspectives. The genesis of ‘lesson learning’ and the provisions of the Police (Conduct) Regulations 2020 are summarised. Finally, it considers the extent to which the system is likely to replace ‘blame’ with ‘lesson learning’, taking account of psychological effects such as cognitive dissonance. The conclusions are drawn that whilst emphasis on lesson learning is welcome, its application requires an improvement-focussed approach requiring investment in training to reach its potential. The effect on police risk aversion will probably be modest.
  Citation: The Police Journal
  PubDate: 2022-06-13T02:46:03Z
  DOI: 10.1177/0032258X221107586
Compassion fatigue, compassion satisfaction, and burnout, and their
associations with anxiety and depression in UK police officers: A mixed
method analysis
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  Authors: Lucy E Davies, Matthew Brooks, Elizabeth C Braithwaite
  Abstract: The Police Journal, Ahead of Print.
  Professional quality of life (ProQoL) variables, compassion fatigue (CF), compassion satisfaction (CS) and burnout are understudied in the police population. Here, we examine any associations between ProQoL and anxiety, depression and personal QoL. Study 1: A cross-sectional survey (N = 100) demonstrated CF and burnout are significantly associated with higher anxiety and depression, whereas CS is significantly associated with lower anxiety and depressive symptomology. When controlling for CS, CF is still significantly associated with higher anxiety and depression. Study 2: Semi-structured interviews (N = 6) revealed themes of perceived awareness and personal impacts of ProQoL. Police interventions should focus on ProQoL variables as the root cause of common mental health complaints.
  Citation: The Police Journal
  PubDate: 2022-06-06T04:06:37Z
  DOI: 10.1177/0032258X221106107
Seasonal mobility of populations and allocation of police resources in
Finland
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  Authors: Mika Sutela, Olli Lehtonen
  Abstract: The Police Journal, Ahead of Print.
  This study analyses the impact of the seasonal mobility of populations on the emergency response times (ERT) of the police. The concept of multi-locality increases the mobility of people but, however, the public service structures of the society and different administrative systems do not sufficiently account for that. The results of the mixed-model regression demonstrate the challenges in the police resources allocation when people are acting in different areas than expected. Emergency response times was lengthened as the seasonal population increased and spatially dispersed over the regions during the seasons. We suggest that the seasonal mobility should be involved the future planning process of police resource allocation.
  Citation: The Police Journal
  PubDate: 2022-05-26T07:58:04Z
  DOI: 10.1177/0032258X221104605
Mapping the lie: A smallest space analysis of truthful and deceptive
mock-informant accounts
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  Authors: Lee Moffett, Gavin E Oxburgh, Paul Dresser, Fiona Gabbert
  Abstract: The Police Journal, Ahead of Print.
  Detecting informant deception is a key concern for law enforcement officers, with implications for resource-management, operational decision-making and protecting officers from risk of harm. However, the situational dilemma of a police informant, otherwise known as a Covert Human Intelligence Source (CHIS), is unique. Informants are tasked to obtain information about the transgressive actions or intentions of their associates, knowing they will later disclose this information to a handler. Thus, techniques for detecting deception in other forensic scenarios may not be transferrable to an informant interview. Utilising truthful and deceptive transcripts from a unique mock-informant role play paradigm, Smallest Space Analysis was used to map the co-occurrence of content themes. Results found that deceptive content frequently co-occurred with emotive and low-potency content themes. This provides support for the future analysis of verbal content when seeking to detect informant deception.
  Citation: The Police Journal
  PubDate: 2022-05-21T03:28:19Z
  DOI: 10.1177/0032258X221102271
The moral and emotional world of police informants
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  Authors: Bethan Loftus, Matthew Bacon, Layla Skinns
  Abstract: The Police Journal, Ahead of Print.
  The global pattern of implementing proactive policing to address crime and insecurity continues to drive undercover techniques, including the deployment of police informants. Our aim in this article is to reflect upon research on informants policing, setting out a more comprehensive agenda that appreciates the moral significance and power dynamics at play. Our starting point is that this practice embodies immense moral and emotional tension, both for the police officer and the informant. However, these deeper aspects have been largely underestimated by scholars. Research can garner new insights by conceptualizing the tactic in terms of vulnerability, morality and emotional labour.
  Citation: The Police Journal
  PubDate: 2022-05-08T04:35:37Z
  DOI: 10.1177/0032258X221081668
How police officers are shot and killed during active shooter events:
Implications for response and training
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  Authors: J Pete Blair, Aaron Duron
  Abstract: The Police Journal, Ahead of Print.
  Active shooter events have driven police to change how they respond to events where an attacker is actively engaged in killing civilians. This paper examines these changes through the lenses of Normal Accident Theory (NAT) and Resilience Engineering (RE). Our results show a police officer is shot in one out of every six active shooter events in the United States. We then apply RE to better understand how these shootings occur so that police can improve their ability to anticipate, monitor, and respond during these attacks. Implications for police training are discussed.
  Citation: The Police Journal
  PubDate: 2022-05-04T07:34:06Z
  DOI: 10.1177/0032258X221087827
Co-operation or unification: Is the future of police multi-agency working
simply to become one agency'
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  Authors: Tom Andrews
  Abstract: The Police Journal, Ahead of Print.
  In 2014 Professor Tim Hope stated that he would “give up the police service”, proposing that the “police service should merge thoroughly with health, ambulance and fire services to become a harm-response service”. This article examines the practicalities of such a proposal,considering different aspects within policing that require multi-agency co-operation and whether that could be replaced by unification. It concludes that in all instances, bar one notable exception in the form of mental health response, the police necessarily stand apart from other agencies for good reason and that unification would be counterproductive to Hope's aims.
  Citation: The Police Journal
  PubDate: 2022-05-04T06:35:34Z
  DOI: 10.1177/0032258X221094494
Financial crime scripting: Introducing a financial perspective to the
Dutch cocaine trade
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  Authors: Victor D van Santvoord, Teun van Ruitenburg
  Abstract: The Police Journal, Ahead of Print.
  The Netherlands operates as a distribution hub for cocaine, due to its transit characteristics cocaine is imported from South America and distributed to the rest of Europe. To enhance the financial approach to organized crimes, this article proposes a new crime script: a financial crime script. With a special focus on the importing stage, 76 Dutch court rulings are analyzed to make a first financial crime script. This financial crime script provides new insight into the proceeds, costs, and means of payment of criminal organizations and therefore could aid law enforcement in calculating criminal gains.
  Citation: The Police Journal
  PubDate: 2022-05-03T01:28:17Z
  DOI: 10.1177/0032258X221083449
A retrospective study of physical fitness and mental health among police
students in Sweden
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  Authors: Sandra Krugly, Daniel Bjärsholm, Alexander Jansson, Arne Rosendal Hansen, Olof Hansson, Kajsa Brehm, Angelica Datmo, Anna Hafsteinsson Östenberg, Jenny Vikman
  Abstract: The Police Journal, Ahead of Print.
  Little is known about the physical and mental health among police students. Based on data on Swedish police students’ physical fitness (N = 1736) and mental health (N = 407), the results show that: (a) there are gender differences; (b) the physical fitness changes during police education; in general, the students get stronger but less flexible, and the aerobic endurance increases for women but decreases for men; and (c) students’ self-reported physical activity and mental health affect their perceived police ability differently in relation to gender. Consequently, this study questions if the Swedish police education is preparing the students adequately for their future profession.
  Citation: The Police Journal
  PubDate: 2022-04-30T07:13:16Z
  DOI: 10.1177/0032258X221089576
Police risk assessment and case outcomes in missing person investigations
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  Authors: Jessica Phoenix, Brian J Francis
  Abstract: The Police Journal, Ahead of Print.
  In England and Wales, police consider potential harm in missing person investigations using graded risk assessment. Using 4746 missing person reports made to one police force in 2015, we investigate the extent to which age, sex and police risk factors predict high-risk classifications and harmful case outcomes. We find age, sex and specific risk factors including out of character behaviour and suicide risk increased the likelihood of high-risk classifications, whilst other risk factors including physical/mental illness and drug/alcohol misuse increased the likelihood of harmful outcomes. We also find certain risk factors reduced the likelihood of high-risk classifications and harmful outcomes.
  Citation: The Police Journal
  PubDate: 2022-04-26T01:28:36Z
  DOI: 10.1177/0032258X221087829
Budgets and websites matter! An examination of police communication of
community engagement in Southern California
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  Authors: Jennifer M Van, Rui Sun, Sarah Britto
  Abstract: The Police Journal, Ahead of Print.
  
  Citation: The Police Journal
  PubDate: 2022-04-22T07:06:51Z
  DOI: 10.1177/0032258X221087451
Well-being of police personnel: Role of perceived social support and
perceived control of internal states
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  Authors: Meera Padhy, Lalnuntluangi Ralte, Ruth A Padiri, Kavya Chelli
  Abstract: The Police Journal, Ahead of Print.
  The cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the relationship between the domains of perceived social support (PSS), perceived control of internal states (PCOIS) and well-being (WB) among police personnel. One hundred twenty two police officers (106 males and 16 females) from the state of Odisha, India were selected using purposive sampling method and were required to fill up the perceived social support, perceived control of internal states and well-being questionnaires. The relationships among these variables were examined using Pearson product moment correlation. The impact of social support and perceived control of internal states on well-being was analysed by multiple hierarchical regression analysis. Significant positive relationships among all these variables were noted. The relationship between the social support from friends’ domain and well-being was not significant. In addition, well-being was predicted by both perceived social support and perceived control of internal states. The findings of this study can help in developing interventions which can enhance the well-being of police personnel by targeting their perceived social support and perceived control of internal states.
  Citation: The Police Journal
  PubDate: 2022-04-20T07:33:46Z
  DOI: 10.1177/0032258X221085689
Exercise motivations of law enforcement officers in Northeast Louisiana
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  Authors: YuChun Chen, Todd J Castleberry
  Abstract: The Police Journal, Ahead of Print.
  Previous research indicates that law enforcement officers did not uphold optimal physical fitness. This study aimed to examine exercise motivations of incumbent officers. The EMI-2 was used to collect data. Kruskal–Wallis H tests and post-hoc Mann–Whitney U tests with Bonferroni-corrected p values were used to analyze the data. As a group, the officers were motivated to exercise for the positive health benefits. The results also indicated that building up strength/endurance and competition had influential impacts on their motivation to exercise. Police agencies may take these elements into consideration when planning and implementing a physical training program for the incumbent officers.
  Citation: The Police Journal
  PubDate: 2022-04-05T01:54:19Z
  DOI: 10.1177/0032258X221079021
An evaluation of a hot spot policing programme in four Argentinian cities
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  Authors: Spencer P Chainey, Patricio R Estévez-Soto, Gastón Pezzuchi, Rodrigo Serrano–Berthet
  Abstract: The Police Journal, Ahead of Print.
  In 2017, hot spot policing interventions were implemented in four cities in Argentina: La Plata, Morón, Santa Fe and Tres de Febrero. Each intervention was similarly designed, organized and implemented. Results differed between cities. La Plata experienced the largest decreases, including a significant 31% decrease in robbery (while controlling for geographic displacement), whereas in other cities, a mix of non-significant decreases and increases in robbery and theft were observed. No displacement was observed to assaults or vehicle crime. The differences in impact between cities were likely to be associated with differences in the project management of each intervention.
  Citation: The Police Journal
  PubDate: 2022-03-26T08:03:40Z
  DOI: 10.1177/0032258X221079019
Exploring the multilevel nature of police confidence in Brazil
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  Authors: Carlos Solar
  Abstract: The Police Journal, Ahead of Print.
  This article proposes multilevel modelling to account for individuals’ contexts when predicting police confidence. It uses the case study of Brazil considering 107 cities from 25 states to assess four evidence and literature-based predictors impacting police confidence measures in the country. The article found that being a crime victim, experiencing police corruption and having low interpersonal trust were negatively and significantly associated with confidence in the police. Levels of variance between individuals grouped by cities and states were a considerable explanatory feature of police confidence. The implications of these results are discussed in relation to police governance.
  Citation: The Police Journal
  PubDate: 2022-03-23T08:33:28Z
  DOI: 10.1177/0032258X221079020
Sexual Misconduct in Police Recruits as identified by Police Trainers
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  Authors: Fay Sweeting, Terri Cole
  Abstract: The Police Journal, Ahead of Print.
  Police sexual misconduct is an under-researched type of police corruption. Although rare, it has serious negative ramifications for both the victims and the reputation of the police. When officers join, there is an extended period of training during which potential warning signs of sexual misconduct may be displayed. This research explored how police trainers identify and deal with sexual misconduct in new recruits. Six focus groups across four police forces in the South of England were conducted – a total of 25 police training staff. Data was analysed using thematic analysis. Sexually inappropriate language and sexual touching was witnessed during training, with both recruits and trainers as victims. Police trainers are confident in dealing with such incidents; however, more serious allegations did not result in disciplinary action. Victims and witnesses were reluctant to report incidents, and this may hinder the early identification of recruits who require more discipline or who are potentially unsuitable for police work.
  Citation: The Police Journal
  PubDate: 2022-02-28T01:03:42Z
  DOI: 10.1177/0032258X211048416
‘Defunding the police’: A consideration of the implications for the
police role in mental health work
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  Authors: Ian Cummins
  Abstract: The Police Journal, Ahead of Print.
  This paper examines the role of the police in mental health work. It explores whether the calls to ‘defund the police’ can be the basis for fundamental reforms of mental health services and the police role. The paper outlines the roots of the calls to ‘defund the police’ situating the perspective in the wider Black Lives Matter movement (BLM). The wider BLM movement seeks to overturn long standing racial and social injustices, including the disproportionate use of force against black citizens and racial biases within the Criminal Justice System. It goes further in that BLM calls for a shift in funding from policing towards an investment in welfare and community services. These calls are captured in the phrase ‘defund the police’. These calls have highlighted the police role in mental health, particularly, the police response to citizens in mental health crisis. The paper examines the police role in mental health work, highlighting the historic impact of policies of deinstutionalisation and more recently austerity and welfare retrenchment. In calling for this policy shift, campaigners have highlighted the need to significant investment in mental health services. The police role in mental health services increased because of the failings of community care (Cummins, 2020a). Police officers have increasingly become first responders in mental health crises. The paper, focusing on England and Wales, uses ‘defund the police’ perspective as a lens to examine long standing areas of concern. Police involvement in mental health emergencies is inevitably stigmatizing. There are also concerns from the police. This is an area of police demand that has grown of austerity and the wider retrenchment in public services. Police officers often feel that they lack the skills and knowledge required to undertake their role in mental health work. In addition, there is frustration generated by poor interprofessional working. Police officers on an organizational and individual level feel that they are often left ‘picking up the pieces’. There is a wide recognition that mental health services are failing to provide appropriate responses to those in crisis (Wessley, 2018). As well as being an issue of human rights and social justice, these failures place vulnerable people at increased risk. All aspects of police work involve contact with people experiencing mental health problems. People with mental health problems are first and foremost human beings who should be treated with dignity and respect. They are also citizens, family members, carers and work colleagues. Having acknowledged that core value perspective, if we accept that police officers will be involved in mental health work, we should seek to limit their role as far as is possible. The paper concludes that it is likely that there will be always be some form of police involvement in mental health–related work. However, there is a need to limit this as far as possible.
  Citation: The Police Journal
  PubDate: 2022-02-17T04:38:52Z
  DOI: 10.1177/0032258X211047795
Towards a better understanding of police experience: An assessment of the
unique shifts, crime areas, and duty assignments that officers have worked
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  Authors: Logan J. Somers
  Abstract: The Police Journal, Ahead of Print.
  Using the survey data from 791 officers in a large western police department in the United States, the current study assesses how officers’ unique work experiences (i.e., shifts, crime areas, and duty assignments) vary and culminate throughout a career in policing. Findings provide a glimpse into the early socialization and work experiences of novice officers and how experiences manifest across officers as they gain years on the job. The results also show that there is particularly high variation in the career work experiences amongst the most tenured officers, which calls into question the validity of using only length of service to measure officer experience. This study closes by discussing the implications that these findings have for future research and practice.
  Citation: The Police Journal
  PubDate: 2022-01-13T04:25:23Z
  DOI: 10.1177/0032258X211064710
Homework completion program in Atlantic County, NJ: The first five years
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  Authors: Connie M Tang, Merydawilda Colon, Heather Swenson Brilla
  Abstract: The Police Journal, Ahead of Print.
  This research examined the Homework Completion Program in Atlantic County, NJ, where college students and police officers tutored children with homework. Children (N = 154) reported their impression of police officers and perception of the program. Across 5 years and three program sites, children chose completing homework as the best part about the program and they mostly reported feeling happy when seeing a police officer and finding police officers if they needed help. In summary, the program has shown promise in achieving the goals of preparing children for a college education and building trust between children and police officers.
  Citation: The Police Journal
  PubDate: 2022-01-08T01:53:02Z
  DOI: 10.1177/0032258X211066033
Pre-career exposure to violence as a predictor of emotional distress among
police recruits
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  Authors: Brooke McQuerrey Tuttle, Yeokil Cho, Tia C Waldrop
  Abstract: The Police Journal, Ahead of Print.
  The occupational risks to police mental health are widely known; however, less is known about how early life experiences and pre-academy stressors influence the emotional wellness of recruits in an academy setting. The present study investigated the links between pre-career exposure to violence and emotional wellness among a sample of 1,072 police recruits. Results of path analyses revealed that direct exposure to physical violence prior to age 18 was a significant factor for recruit emotional distress, whereas indirect exposure to violence did not significantly predict emotional distress. Findings carry implications for considering a lifespan approach to understanding police stress.
  Citation: The Police Journal
  PubDate: 2022-01-05T12:59:11Z
  DOI: 10.1177/0032258X211064712
Book review: Behavioural Skills For Effective Policing
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  Authors: Keith Floyd
  First page: 172
  Abstract: The Police Journal, Ahead of Print.
  
  Citation: The Police Journal
  PubDate: 2022-10-29T02:27:23Z
  DOI: 10.1177/0032258X221137001