A grasp of police research: characteristics of empirical research on police careers based on multiple scoping reviews
Abstract
Purpose
This article provides an overview of the literature characteristics of empirical research on topics related to police careers from 2000 to 2021. Methodology, distribution in time and space and types of publication are presented. Recommendations for new research avenues are given.
Design/methodology/approach
Eight scoping reviews on specific topics were carried out by criminology students under the close guidance and supervision of the first author, an academic researcher. The reviews followed the same procedure, enabling an overarching reflection.
Findings
The scoping reviews resulted in 179 unique publications for analysis. It appears that the topic of police professional competencies is studied more often in the field of police careers (n = 55), in contrast to informal learning in police training (n = 4) which was studied the least frequently. Since 2012, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of publications. Publications in scientific journals are by far the most common (n = 153), as is a quantitative research design (n = 123). All topics have been studied in Europe and North America.
Research limitations/implications
More qualitative research and international dissemination of empirical results are recommended to gain a deeper understanding of police careers. As for the limitations, specific topics were selected, which limits the scope of the findings. Working with students for data collection has its benefits in terms of workload, but comes with potential limitations in terms of quality. It is recommended to conduct a screening using the four-eyed principle, as was done here by the first and second authors. Additionally, the review protocol (e.g. keywords and databases) has an influence on the outcome. Different choices may lead to different results.
Originality/value
A comprehensive analysis of police career literature is made based on eight scoping reviews that followed the same procedure. It allows to study the literature in a broad sense rather than studying one topic in depth.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank all the students for conducting the scoping reviews concerning police careers that where included in this article: Hannah Baus, Lara Billiet, Siel Borremans, Astrid Cleppe, Esmée Cousaert, Emma De Clercq, Bo Demaegd, Amber De Plancke, Mathieu Drohsler, Dagmar Goeman, Yannick Ivens, Marie Rooryck, Céline Tronquo, Lotte Valepijn, Jana Vanhooren, Pieter Van Bom, Janno Van den Eede, Charley van den Steenhoven, Marie Van der Wilt, Ina Wuytack and the interns who helped with checking them: Axelle Mangelschots and Pauline Vercruysse.
Citation
Stevens, A., Mangelschots, A., Feys, Y. and Verhage, A. (2024), "A grasp of police research: characteristics of empirical research on police careers based on multiple scoping reviews", Policing: An International Journal, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/PIJPSM-01-2024-0003
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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