Perceptions of Police Misconduct: Social-Psychological Analyses of Reporting Intentions Among Police Officers in the Netherlands

• NCJ Number: 123783
• Journal: Police Studies Volume: 12 Issue: 3 Dated: (Fall 1989) Pages: 104-114
• Author(s): A Vrij; F W Winkel; L Koppelaar; M C Euwema
• Date Published: 1989
• Length: 11 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Three studies are discussed on the willingness of police officers to report policy deviancy to their superiors. Results show that deviancy reporting is an exception rather than a rule.

Abstract

This implies that management is not or only barely informed of deviant behavior at lower levels. Study number one aimed to obtain insight into the determinants of the willingness to report. The results from this study reveal the normative component, that is whether or not a police officer considers reporting a personal duty, to be the strongest predictor of deviancy reporting. Studies number two and number three examined whether the preferred style of leadership behavior (task or relationship oriented) has any effect on the willingness to report. Results indicate that task-oriented leaders (sergeants) show a greater willingness to report to higher echelons than relationship-oriented sergeants. Study number three reveals, however, that the task-oriented sergeants are not as easily informed of deviant behavior by their subordinates. In conclusion some implications will be outlined. 6 tables, 20 references. (Publisher abstract)