Universality of the "Police Canteen Culture"

• NCJ Number: 217317
• Journal: Acta Criminologica Volume: 17 Issue: 1 Dated: 2004 Pages: 1-16
• Author(s): B. Kingshott; J. Prinsloo
• Date Published: 2004
• Length: 16 pages
• Publication Format: Document (Online)
• Publication Type: Research Paper
• Language: English
• Country: South Africa
• Note: To access the full text PDF: 1) select the provided PDF link; 2) from the Acta Criminologica Web site, select "Table of Contents"; 3) select the corresponding Volume and Issue (see the NCJRS abstract record for the exact Volume and Issue); 4) scroll the Table of Contents to the exact article; and 5) click on the "full text" icon. Downloaded February 12, 2007

Annotation

This article discusses the ubiquitous “police canteen culture.”

Abstract

The main point of the discussion is that organizational cultures will always exist and should be approached as part of the informal structure that supports an organization. An analysis is offered of the formal and informal elements of police canteen culture, which contain both positive and negative components and outcomes. For example, a negative aspect associated with police canteen culture is the antisocial atmosphere often found among officers, which can include racism, social prejudice, religious bigotry, and discrimination. A positive aspect associated with police canteen culture is the important moral support and team spirit found within the tight-knit police canteen culture. The authors analyze the way in which police culture espouses a militaristic culture and structure that emphasizes conformity and discipline. As more police departments attempt to incorporate a business model into the organizational structure, they have encountered resistance from street officers. The authors comment that the negative attitudes and perceptions within police culture can be changed, but only from within. Police culture has received a great deal of attention, mainly stemming from highly publicized acts of violence or corruption on the part of police officers. The authors examine the various aspects of this police culture as well as public expectations of policing organizations through an analysis of police misconduct in South Africa, the New York Police Department (NYPD), and the United Kingdom’s Metropolitan Police. Research on the nature of police culture is presented, which notes that police officers have a tendency to socially isolate themselves from the citizens they serve, resulting in a disconnect between the public and the police officers charged with protecting public order. Bibliography