Bethany L. Backes, Mackenzie Masters, Krystle Roman, Anna Wasim, Leila Wood
Law enforcement has used video recording devices (e.g. dash camera, body-worn camera) for more than 40 years, with body-worn cameras emerging in 2005 as a policing tool. However, little is known regarding how video evidence is leveraged in case decision-making and outcomes for domestic violence. Law enforcement may use cameras to enhance evidence collection in domestic violence cases, take statements from victims, witnesses, and offenders, record injuries and damages, and document the administration of risk/injury assessments. Preliminary research has indicated video evidence may have strong evidentiary value in domestic violence cases, however, has rarely controlled for other contributing factors. This study furthers our knowledge by examining how video evidence taken by law enforcement impacts case outcomes and length of time to disposition in a sample of closed, misdemeanour domestic violence cases within a large county in a southwestern state. A random sample of cases (n = 612) with and without video evidence were examined for differences in case disposition and case length. Additional evidentiary factors and case characteristics are considered such as prior criminal charges, victim–offender relationship, presence of non-video evidence, presence of witnesses, and gender of offender. Analyses indicate significant differences, such that cases with video evidence are associated with increased guilty pleas, increased convictions, and less time to closure/final case disposition. Findings have implications for the use of video evidence in strengthening the criminal justice response to domestic violence incidents in combination with other case factors.
{"title":"Leveraging video evidence in domestic violence misdemeanour cases: Examination of case dispositions and case length","authors":"Bethany L. Backes, Mackenzie Masters, Krystle Roman, Anna Wasim, Leila Wood","doi":"10.1093/police/paae011","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/police/paae011","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 Law enforcement has used video recording devices (e.g. dash camera, body-worn camera) for more than 40 years, with body-worn cameras emerging in 2005 as a policing tool. However, little is known regarding how video evidence is leveraged in case decision-making and outcomes for domestic violence. Law enforcement may use cameras to enhance evidence collection in domestic violence cases, take statements from victims, witnesses, and offenders, record injuries and damages, and document the administration of risk/injury assessments. Preliminary research has indicated video evidence may have strong evidentiary value in domestic violence cases, however, has rarely controlled for other contributing factors. This study furthers our knowledge by examining how video evidence taken by law enforcement impacts case outcomes and length of time to disposition in a sample of closed, misdemeanour domestic violence cases within a large county in a southwestern state. A random sample of cases (n = 612) with and without video evidence were examined for differences in case disposition and case length. Additional evidentiary factors and case characteristics are considered such as prior criminal charges, victim–offender relationship, presence of non-video evidence, presence of witnesses, and gender of offender. Analyses indicate significant differences, such that cases with video evidence are associated with increased guilty pleas, increased convictions, and less time to closure/final case disposition. Findings have implications for the use of video evidence in strengthening the criminal justice response to domestic violence incidents in combination with other case factors.","PeriodicalId":516781,"journal":{"name":"Policing: A Journal of Policy and Practice","volume":"60 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140739411","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Much of the literature on domestic abuse focuses on those in intimate partner relationships or ex-partners, however, in the UK the Home Office definition also includes those in familial relationships. The Domestic Abuse, Stalking, and Harassment and Honour-Based Violence Risk Assessment assumes homogeneous risk factors across all relationships. This paper therefore examines the risk factors for repeat victimization of domestic abuse by relationship type between the victim and perpetrator in a UK police force. Using police-recorded domestic abuse incident and crime data, a logistic regression model found that the most similar repeat victimization risk profiles for 14,519 victims were amongst partners and ex-partners, with both relationships demonstrating the greatest degree of gender asymmetry, compared with other familial relationships. Physical violence was the strongest predictor of repeat victimization and was a statistically significant predictor for ex-partners, partners, and all familial relationships. Coercive behaviour was also a significant predictor for all relationships apart from partners, but not at the same magnitude as physical abuse. Recognizing the difference in risk by relationship type may assist the police in deciding the most appropriate response and interventions to reduce the risk of further harm.
{"title":"Differentiating risk: The association between relationship type and risk of repeat victimization of domestic abuse","authors":"Ruth Weir","doi":"10.1093/police/paae024","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/police/paae024","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 Much of the literature on domestic abuse focuses on those in intimate partner relationships or ex-partners, however, in the UK the Home Office definition also includes those in familial relationships. The Domestic Abuse, Stalking, and Harassment and Honour-Based Violence Risk Assessment assumes homogeneous risk factors across all relationships. This paper therefore examines the risk factors for repeat victimization of domestic abuse by relationship type between the victim and perpetrator in a UK police force. Using police-recorded domestic abuse incident and crime data, a logistic regression model found that the most similar repeat victimization risk profiles for 14,519 victims were amongst partners and ex-partners, with both relationships demonstrating the greatest degree of gender asymmetry, compared with other familial relationships. Physical violence was the strongest predictor of repeat victimization and was a statistically significant predictor for ex-partners, partners, and all familial relationships. Coercive behaviour was also a significant predictor for all relationships apart from partners, but not at the same magnitude as physical abuse. Recognizing the difference in risk by relationship type may assist the police in deciding the most appropriate response and interventions to reduce the risk of further harm.","PeriodicalId":516781,"journal":{"name":"Policing: A Journal of Policy and Practice","volume":"125 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140740699","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
B. Hasisi, David Weisburd, Yael Litmanovitz, Tomer Carmel, Shani Tshuva, Taina Trahtenberg
This paper describes a quasi-experimental evaluation of a reform in Israel (‘EMUN’), which attempted to institutionalize problem-oriented policing on a national scale. The current study examines the effect of this reform on tackling traffic disturbance and road bullying offences. We compared three police stations that chose to deal with traffic offences using the tools and techniques provided through the reform (treatment stations) with five police stations that were matched - using a specially designed algorithm - on several criteria, including similar trends of traffic offences (comparison stations). Each treatment station was compared to two comparison stations using a difference-in-differences approach. In five out of six comparisons there were large and significant reductions in documented traffic disturbances in the targeted areas of the treatment stations compared to the control stations. We also found evidence of significant diffusions in crime control benefits in two of the treatment stations. However, there was evidence of significant geographical displacement to the buffer zone in the largest treatment stations. We attribute this to differences in the nature of the areas targeted and discuss the relative harms and benefits. The findings of the study show that institutionalizing a variety of evidence-based policing strategies has a promise not only for classic crimes (such as property and violence), but also for incivilities and quality-of-life offenses.
{"title":"Proactive policing and traffic disturbances: A quasi-experiment in three Israeli cities","authors":"B. Hasisi, David Weisburd, Yael Litmanovitz, Tomer Carmel, Shani Tshuva, Taina Trahtenberg","doi":"10.1093/police/paad088","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/police/paad088","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 This paper describes a quasi-experimental evaluation of a reform in Israel (‘EMUN’), which attempted to institutionalize problem-oriented policing on a national scale. The current study examines the effect of this reform on tackling traffic disturbance and road bullying offences. We compared three police stations that chose to deal with traffic offences using the tools and techniques provided through the reform (treatment stations) with five police stations that were matched - using a specially designed algorithm - on several criteria, including similar trends of traffic offences (comparison stations). Each treatment station was compared to two comparison stations using a difference-in-differences approach. In five out of six comparisons there were large and significant reductions in documented traffic disturbances in the targeted areas of the treatment stations compared to the control stations. We also found evidence of significant diffusions in crime control benefits in two of the treatment stations. However, there was evidence of significant geographical displacement to the buffer zone in the largest treatment stations. We attribute this to differences in the nature of the areas targeted and discuss the relative harms and benefits. The findings of the study show that institutionalizing a variety of evidence-based policing strategies has a promise not only for classic crimes (such as property and violence), but also for incivilities and quality-of-life offenses.","PeriodicalId":516781,"journal":{"name":"Policing: A Journal of Policy and Practice","volume":"3 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140737420","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
P. Stinson, John Liederbach, C. Wentzlof, Jordan M Parker
Our research focuses on the criminal victimization of policewomen by other police officers. The data derive from a larger nationwide study on police crime, or cases in which police officers have been arrested for the perpetration of one or more criminal offenses. The current study identifies cases involving policewomen who are victims of police-perpetrated sexual harassment, official misconduct, stalking, indecent exposure, simple and aggravated assault, and rape. The specific goals of the research are three-fold: (1) explore the nature and character of police crimes perpetrated against policewomen, (2) describe cases of police crime perpetrated against policewomen that specifically involve some form of sexual violence, and (3) compare cases of police crime perpetrated against male and female police victims. Findings demonstrate the differential criminal victimization of policewoman, particularly in terms of cases involving police sexual violence (PSV) and officer-involved domestic violence (OIDV).
{"title":"A Study of the Criminal Victimization of Policewomen by Other Police Officers","authors":"P. Stinson, John Liederbach, C. Wentzlof, Jordan M Parker","doi":"10.1093/police/paad096","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/police/paad096","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 Our research focuses on the criminal victimization of policewomen by other police officers. The data derive from a larger nationwide study on police crime, or cases in which police officers have been arrested for the perpetration of one or more criminal offenses. The current study identifies cases involving policewomen who are victims of police-perpetrated sexual harassment, official misconduct, stalking, indecent exposure, simple and aggravated assault, and rape. The specific goals of the research are three-fold: (1) explore the nature and character of police crimes perpetrated against policewomen, (2) describe cases of police crime perpetrated against policewomen that specifically involve some form of sexual violence, and (3) compare cases of police crime perpetrated against male and female police victims. Findings demonstrate the differential criminal victimization of policewoman, particularly in terms of cases involving police sexual violence (PSV) and officer-involved domestic violence (OIDV).","PeriodicalId":516781,"journal":{"name":"Policing: A Journal of Policy and Practice","volume":"30 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140522166","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Programs that aim to improve the police response to mental health crises and related incidents have implicitly relied on a medical/individual model of psychiatric disability, which emphasizes efforts to provide mental health treatments to individuals. This paper argues that this perspective has unnecessarily limited the range of options that police might draw from to manage these incidents. Advocates of an alternative, social model of psychiatric disability (as well as the “neurodiversity paradigm” it inspired) argue that we should view disability not as a property of individuals with certain impairments but as a property of the society that has failed to accommodate them. I argue that repeated calls to the police provide important information about the location and character of those failures, and that police have an important role to play in rectifying them. I illustrate how police have already played that role in several cities.
{"title":"Policing a neurodiverse world: Lessons from the social model of disability","authors":"David Thacher","doi":"10.1093/police/paae012","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/police/paae012","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 Programs that aim to improve the police response to mental health crises and related incidents have implicitly relied on a medical/individual model of psychiatric disability, which emphasizes efforts to provide mental health treatments to individuals. This paper argues that this perspective has unnecessarily limited the range of options that police might draw from to manage these incidents. Advocates of an alternative, social model of psychiatric disability (as well as the “neurodiversity paradigm” it inspired) argue that we should view disability not as a property of individuals with certain impairments but as a property of the society that has failed to accommodate them. I argue that repeated calls to the police provide important information about the location and character of those failures, and that police have an important role to play in rectifying them. I illustrate how police have already played that role in several cities.","PeriodicalId":516781,"journal":{"name":"Policing: A Journal of Policy and Practice","volume":"23 3-4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140519316","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
In policing practices, railway policing has an essential role to ensure the public security of extensive railway network. However, limited attention has been given to understanding the perspectives of police officers involved in this specialized field. This study aims to fill this gap by exploring the perspectives of railway police officers. Through in-depth interviews with 31 railway police officers from different regions, this research examines their experiences, challenges, and perceptions regarding their roles and responsibilities. The findings reveal that conflicts of interest within the railway police department pose potential risks to its internal cohesion. These officers used different strategies for response to violent attacks in ordinary and high-speed trains, highlighted instances of avoidance of duties due to internal conflicts, suggesting deficiencies in the evaluation mechanism employed. This study not only contributes to our understanding of railway policing in China but also provides insights for global railway policing and criminal investigation coordination.
{"title":"Rails and responsibilities: Perspectives of railroad police officers in China","authors":"Haoran Xu","doi":"10.1093/police/paae017","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/police/paae017","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 In policing practices, railway policing has an essential role to ensure the public security of extensive railway network. However, limited attention has been given to understanding the perspectives of police officers involved in this specialized field. This study aims to fill this gap by exploring the perspectives of railway police officers. Through in-depth interviews with 31 railway police officers from different regions, this research examines their experiences, challenges, and perceptions regarding their roles and responsibilities. The findings reveal that conflicts of interest within the railway police department pose potential risks to its internal cohesion. These officers used different strategies for response to violent attacks in ordinary and high-speed trains, highlighted instances of avoidance of duties due to internal conflicts, suggesting deficiencies in the evaluation mechanism employed. This study not only contributes to our understanding of railway policing in China but also provides insights for global railway policing and criminal investigation coordination.","PeriodicalId":516781,"journal":{"name":"Policing: A Journal of Policy and Practice","volume":"26 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140526539","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Studies examining the experiences of Black officers often negate gendered nuances. In this qualitative study, we draw upon the lived experiences of Black women employed at a mid-sized police agency in Virginia. Between August 2021 and March 2022, in-depth interviews were conducted with Black women across ranks to learn about how their identity as Black women impacted their social environment at work. Thematic findings reflected the impact that the lack of representation had on Black women officers, the self-reported victories and downfalls associated with Black women achieving rank, and the presence of tokenism, primarily seen in these women’s interactions with other peers. Policy and practical implications are discussed.
{"title":"‘As a Black woman, there’s no winning in law enforcement’: Black women’s experiences in policing","authors":"Narissa Haakmat, J. R. Ruffin","doi":"10.1093/police/paae008","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/police/paae008","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 Studies examining the experiences of Black officers often negate gendered nuances. In this qualitative study, we draw upon the lived experiences of Black women employed at a mid-sized police agency in Virginia. Between August 2021 and March 2022, in-depth interviews were conducted with Black women across ranks to learn about how their identity as Black women impacted their social environment at work. Thematic findings reflected the impact that the lack of representation had on Black women officers, the self-reported victories and downfalls associated with Black women achieving rank, and the presence of tokenism, primarily seen in these women’s interactions with other peers. Policy and practical implications are discussed.","PeriodicalId":516781,"journal":{"name":"Policing: A Journal of Policy and Practice","volume":"72 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140525071","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The purpose of the research was to examine challenges women face in policing that may serve as barriers to the recruitment of other women; identifying challenges is crucial for developing strategies that attract women to the profession. The study employed in-depth, qualitative interviews with 16 policewomen. Emergent themes suggest six initiatives that could aid in recruiting more women: (1) Create recruitment materials that highlight roles that are not gender specific; (2) Provide fitness guidance to alleviate fears of inadequacy; (3) Organize mentorships that engage women interested in the profession; (4) Ensure representation of women in leadership roles; (5) Ensure that leaders identify and address inequities immediately to foster belonging; and (6) Institute family-friendly accommodations that allow recruits to balance work and home life. The officers interviewed reported finding purpose in policing, but they recognized the need to attract women in a concerted effort. Nationwide police departments are challenged to recruit women. Creating images, opportunities, and environments that demonstrate appreciation for women in the profession may aid in recruitment.
{"title":"‘There’s a little girl somewhere watching us who wants to be a police officer’: Strategies to attract more women into policing","authors":"Amy L DeWitt, Janay M Gasparini","doi":"10.1093/police/paad099","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/police/paad099","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 The purpose of the research was to examine challenges women face in policing that may serve as barriers to the recruitment of other women; identifying challenges is crucial for developing strategies that attract women to the profession. The study employed in-depth, qualitative interviews with 16 policewomen. Emergent themes suggest six initiatives that could aid in recruiting more women: (1) Create recruitment materials that highlight roles that are not gender specific; (2) Provide fitness guidance to alleviate fears of inadequacy; (3) Organize mentorships that engage women interested in the profession; (4) Ensure representation of women in leadership roles; (5) Ensure that leaders identify and address inequities immediately to foster belonging; and (6) Institute family-friendly accommodations that allow recruits to balance work and home life. The officers interviewed reported finding purpose in policing, but they recognized the need to attract women in a concerted effort. Nationwide police departments are challenged to recruit women. Creating images, opportunities, and environments that demonstrate appreciation for women in the profession may aid in recruitment.","PeriodicalId":516781,"journal":{"name":"Policing: A Journal of Policy and Practice","volume":"11 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140525588","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Phaik Kin Cheah, Iain Britton, Ross Wolf, T. Tey, Adam Dobrin, N. P. Unnithan
Volunteer corps serve as vital components of law enforcement agencies worldwide, significantly contributing to community safety and well-being. This study probes the experiences of police volunteers from Malaysia and the United States of America serving as sworn officers vested with a defined sphere of legal policing authority. A rich, descriptive qualitative approach underpinned our exploration, with semi-structured interviews conducted with 18 volunteer officers – nine from each country. Three salient themes were generated: rewarding, challenging, and empowering. This study unveils a blend of shared and unique experiences in law enforcement work among volunteer officers across the two countries, shedding light on the transformative personal impact of volunteer policing. Unearthing a seldom explored dimension of volunteer law enforcement, this study offers a novel, comparative insight into the experiences of volunteer police officers. It thereby provides valuable input on an international scale to enhance our understanding of this crucial aspect of community safety.
{"title":"Volunteer officers’ experiences in law enforcement work in Malaysia and the USA","authors":"Phaik Kin Cheah, Iain Britton, Ross Wolf, T. Tey, Adam Dobrin, N. P. Unnithan","doi":"10.1093/police/paae004","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/police/paae004","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 Volunteer corps serve as vital components of law enforcement agencies worldwide, significantly contributing to community safety and well-being. This study probes the experiences of police volunteers from Malaysia and the United States of America serving as sworn officers vested with a defined sphere of legal policing authority. A rich, descriptive qualitative approach underpinned our exploration, with semi-structured interviews conducted with 18 volunteer officers – nine from each country. Three salient themes were generated: rewarding, challenging, and empowering. This study unveils a blend of shared and unique experiences in law enforcement work among volunteer officers across the two countries, shedding light on the transformative personal impact of volunteer policing. Unearthing a seldom explored dimension of volunteer law enforcement, this study offers a novel, comparative insight into the experiences of volunteer police officers. It thereby provides valuable input on an international scale to enhance our understanding of this crucial aspect of community safety.","PeriodicalId":516781,"journal":{"name":"Policing: A Journal of Policy and Practice","volume":"30 11","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140519077","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Calls for more women in policing are often associated with pleas to reform the police, operating under the assumption that women police differently than men and that increasing gender diversity in law enforcement agencies may be a catalyst for organizational change. These assertions are intertwined with attitudes related to how women exercise social control and beliefs about how policing would change if the virtues associated with a feminist ethics of care approach were elevated in the institution. Structural equation modelling was used with a sample of more than 16,000 community members from over 50 jurisdictions to explore research questions related to care ethics. The results show that attentiveness, responsiveness, compassion, and helping represent an underlying construct of care, which is strongly associated with community members’ satisfaction and their broader perceptions of the legitimacy of the police. The results also show that women officers demonstrate more care than men officers and that community members who are People of Color experience less care compared with White residents. Overall, the findings indicate that rethinking police responsibilities from a care perspective is a viable option for improving police–community relations and building legitimacy, particularly in marginalized communities.
{"title":"Women police, legitimacy, and ethics of care","authors":"Amie M. Schuck, Cara E. Rabe-Hemp","doi":"10.1093/police/paae006","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/police/paae006","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 Calls for more women in policing are often associated with pleas to reform the police, operating under the assumption that women police differently than men and that increasing gender diversity in law enforcement agencies may be a catalyst for organizational change. These assertions are intertwined with attitudes related to how women exercise social control and beliefs about how policing would change if the virtues associated with a feminist ethics of care approach were elevated in the institution. Structural equation modelling was used with a sample of more than 16,000 community members from over 50 jurisdictions to explore research questions related to care ethics. The results show that attentiveness, responsiveness, compassion, and helping represent an underlying construct of care, which is strongly associated with community members’ satisfaction and their broader perceptions of the legitimacy of the police. The results also show that women officers demonstrate more care than men officers and that community members who are People of Color experience less care compared with White residents. Overall, the findings indicate that rethinking police responsibilities from a care perspective is a viable option for improving police–community relations and building legitimacy, particularly in marginalized communities.","PeriodicalId":516781,"journal":{"name":"Policing: A Journal of Policy and Practice","volume":"17 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140524668","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}