Critical moments in police-citizen reconciliation
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the interaction of police and citizen representatives during critical moments in reconciliation processes through a relational model.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on 26 in-depth interviews with key actors in three different cases of media-salient police-citizen group conflict, the interactions in the run-up to, during and after five moments that were critical in the transformation from conflict to cooperation, were analyzed. In focussing on the role of the intergroup relationship in conflict interaction, the applicability of relationship-value, compatibility and security in defining this relationship were explored.
Findings
Although interactions during critical moments differed along the specific conflict contexts, three chronological stages could be deduced. In the first stage, interactions were tensed and emotional. During the second stage, repressing this insecurity through the exchange of value and compatibility signals was important. In the third stage, the transformation toward friendlier, cooperative dialogue and a less tensed atmosphere was made. Emotional expression, information sharing and emphasizing compatibility seemed particularly important in (re)defining and negotiating police-citizen relationships.
Research limitations/implications
In analysis, the authors had to rely on limited and retrospective accounts of interactions and attitudes and its indivertible errors.
Originality/value
This is one of very few studies that analyses police-involved post conflict interactions with a relational model. With regard to the importance of strong police-citizen relationships, the results should be of value to any operational police worker and specifically those who are involved in operational or strategic conflict-management and communication.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The research described in this paper was financed by the Police Academy of the Netherlands. The funder has had no influence generating the results. The authors thank Misja van de Klomp for his accurate help in data structuring and analysis and Niels Karsten for his valuable comments. Both anonymous reviewers are thanked for their helpful suggestions.
Citation
Stronks, S. and Adang, O.M.J. (2015), "Critical moments in police-citizen reconciliation", Policing: An International Journal, Vol. 38 No. 2, pp. 366-380. https://doi.org/10.1108/PIJPSM-12-2014-0136
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2015, Emerald Group Publishing Limited