One for all? Philippine police officers' perceptions of civilian review

Abstract

There is a prevailing perception that police officers are antagonistic to any civilian review process. This perception also includes the assumption that all police officers are one in denouncing any civilian review. This research examines the degree to which these prevailing perceptions about police officers' views of civilian reviews reflect reality. This research contends that there is reason to question the overwhelming assumption in the literature that police officers are united in their views about civilian review. The research found that police officers have varying perceptions about civilian review. Furthermore, these differences in perceptions are correlated with the experience of being subjected to these reviews. The data indicate that experience with civilian review tend to draw positive perceptions from the police. On the other hand, police officers who have never been subjected to civilian review have less than positive perceptions of review boards. The research findings also indicate that civilian review boards need to overcome these initial negative perceptions especially among police officers who have never had a case adjudicated by a civilian review board.

Citation

de Guzman, M.C. (2004), "One for all? Philippine police officers' perceptions of civilian review", Policing: An International Journal, Vol. 27 No. 3, pp. 358-379. https://doi.org/10.1108/13639510410553112