Walking Among Giants 50 Years Later: An Exploratory Analysis of Patrol Officer Use of Violence

• NCJ Number: 197197
• Journal: Policing Volume: 24 Issue: 2 Dated: 2001 Pages: 144-161
• Author(s): Jeffrey M. Cancino
• Date Published: 2001
• Length: 18 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom
• Note: An earlier version of this manuscript was presented at the 50th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Criminology, Washington, DC.

Annotation

Using focus group interviews and surveys collected from a large Southwest police department, this study examined the situational role context of police use of physical force in order to determine the progress made in this area since William Westley's 1953 pioneering study of the special characteristics of police work, including the police use of physical force.

Abstract

A literature review first provides a brief discussion of studies that explain the police use of force, as well as working concepts of physical force, excessive force, and violence. The hypothesis for the current study was that officer use of physical force and its severity were determined by the situation. The study was conducted in a Southwest police department with over 1,800 sworn officers. Data collection used focus group interviews based on a snowball sampling technique and survey questionnaires distributed to officers after roll call. Three focus groups were conducted with 18 officers. Survey questionnaires served as descriptive supplements to the focus group interviews. Latent and manifest content analysis were used to investigate the use of physical force. The findings show the context in which excessive force and violent force occurred for the officers involved in the study. The use of excessive force and violent force were found to be determined by an auxiliary occupational work group (peers) and the situation on the scene. Certain situations in response to suspects' behaviors produced reactions by officers that involved the use of physical force. Informal socialization within the police subculture acted as a situational guide that regulated officer behavior based on actions of the suspect. Informal socialization created a rational and moral use of physical force. In comparing these findings with Westley's findings, this study concluded that the patrol culture's approach to the use of physical force has not changed over the last 50 years. If change is to occur, the patrol culture must be reformed through the resocialization of officers who are on the front line. Future research and policy must examine ways to change the police culture. 13 notes and 47 references