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An environmental approach to police misconduct: exploring situational prevention possibilities to understanding and preventing police misconduct

Kelly Amy Hine (Centre for Social Research and Methods, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia)
Louise E. Porter (School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia)
Janet Ransley (Griffith Criminology Institute, Mt Gravatt, Australia)

Policing: An International Journal

ISSN: 1363-951X

Publication date: 30 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

  • Misconduct
  • Police
  • Law enforcement
  • Crime prevention

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

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Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited

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