Procedural justice and frontline policing: the effects of the police complaints system

摘要

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to present results from a qualitative study exploring the complaints system within New South Wales Police Force in Australia. The stories shared illustrate the impact of the complaints system on officers currently serving in this force. The study reveals how the complaints system impacts on both the working conditions and workplace environment of police officers, as well as impacting on the professional relationships amongst each other.Design/methodology/approach - The study is qualitative in design, in which in-depth interviews were conducted with a sample of 14 rank and file police officers. The qualitative analysis draws upon a thematic approach and a direct reference to police officer comments and perspectives are illustrated and used to inform the framework of the discussion and implications for further research in this area. Findings - The findings yield three central themes - "police perceptions of accountability"; "the complaints tool - a question of infra institutional justice"; and "performance impact". These are discussed in direct relation to what police officers revealed about their experiences and thoughts on the current complaints process in New South Wales.