Police as HC victims (IRIS 030517).pdf (297.91 kB)
Police Officers’ Experiences as Victims of Hate Crime
journal contribution
posted on 2017-06-22, 12:45 authored by Rob C. Mawby, Irene ZempiPurpose
The purpose of this paper is to fill a research and literature gap by examining the nature and impact of hate crime victimisation on police officers, and their responses to it. The research explores victimisation due to the occupational stigma of policing and the personal characteristics and identities of individual officers.
Design/methodology/approach
The research design is qualitative, based on 20 in-depth interviews with police officers in one English police force. Thematic analysis was applied to the data.
Findings
All participants had experienced hate crime arising from their occupational or personal identities. Initially shocked, officers became desensitized and responded in different ways. These include tolerating and accepting hate crime but also challenging it through communication and the force of law.
Research limitations/implications
This research is based on a small sample. It does not claim to be representative but it is exploratory, aiming to stimulate debate and further research on a contemporary policing issue.
Practical implications
If further research works were to confirm these findings, there are implications for police training, officer welfare and support, supervision and leadership.
Originality/value
The police occupy a problematic position within hate crime literature and UK legislation. This paper opens up debate on an under-researched area and presents the first published study of the hate crime experiences of police officers.
History
Citation
Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies and Management, 2018Author affiliation
/Organisation/COLLEGE OF SOCIAL SCIENCES, ARTS AND HUMANITIES/Department of CriminologyVersion
- AM (Accepted Manuscript)