Veteran Chinese traffic police officers’ positive rapport management in discourse: A case study

Abstract

Despite increasing attention to rapport building or management in police discourse, existing research on how and why particular types of police units such as traffic police officers manage rapport with civilians is still in its infancy. This study draws on a revised model of rapport management to scrutinize a veteran Chinese traffic police officer's discursive management of rapport with civilians during traffic law enforcement. It finds that the officer almost invariably seeks to maintain or enhance rapport with respect to diverse rapport bases through various discursive practices. It is argued that the officer's predominant positive rapport management may signify his effort to meet the requirement of civilized law enforcement in contemporary China. The findings contribute to the rapport-relevant studies in the police discourse through identifying more rapport bases managed by a veteran Chinese traffic police officer, and offering a socio-cultural account of positive rapport management.