An environmental approach to police misconduct: exploring situational prevention possibilities to understanding and preventing police misconduct
Policing: An International Journal
ISSN: 1363-951X
Article publication date: 3 November 2020
Issue publication date: 4 November 2020
Abstract
Purpose
This paper explores the applicability of environmental theories to understanding patterns of police misconduct. In turn, it aims to offer a method for identifying prevention techniques that can be practically applied by policing agencies.
Design/methodology/approach
The study empirically examined 84 substantiated matters of police misconduct in Queensland, Australia. The matters were content-analysed for elements of the first level of the crime triangle. These elements were then analysed to identify their relationships with the situational precipitators that initiated the misconduct; proactive misconduct and situational misconduct.
Findings
The two types of initiating misconduct had differing relationships with the crime triangle elements. Therefore, specific prevention techniques can be tailored by policing agencies to address and prevent each type of misconduct more successfully. The paper discusses these findings in terms of preventative measures according to the second preventative level of the crime triangle and situational crime prevention techniques.
Originality/value
This paper provides an alternative approach to understanding and preventing police misconduct by exploring the applicability of environmental theories. It finds that environmental theories offer a feasible approach for policing agencies to understand and tailor prevention of police misconduct in their jurisdictions.
Keywords
Citation
Hine, K.A., Porter, L.E. and Ransley, J. (2020), "An environmental approach to police misconduct: exploring situational prevention possibilities to understanding and preventing police misconduct", Policing: An International Journal, Vol. 43 No. 6, pp. 893-916. https://doi.org/10.1108/PIJPSM-07-2020-0119
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited