Using procedural justice as an orienting framework, a "contact-based policing" paradigm is supported by the findings of this original qualitative case study that examines police officer interpretations of officer-initiated contacts.

1. RESEARCH POSTER PRESENTATION DESIGN © 2015
www.PosterPresentations.com
How do police officers interpret citizen actions during officer-initiated contacts?
How do those interpretations shape and inform their discretionary decision
making during officer-initiated contacts?
And how can we demonstrate to citizen’s the most clear and precise formative
process for our police officer’s decision making?
Contacts between citizens and police officers are often confounded by their
perceptual differences, which can lead to individual and communal tension,
mistrust, and social strife. This study addresses that issue through a
contextual, real-world examination of the police officer’s interpretive
experience.
Introduction to the Study
With the intent of reducing community-police tension and mistrust, the goal of
this project was to offer interpretive results from the perspective of the police
officer that may be used to promote a collaborative understanding of police
decision making and improve citizen-police relations.
In accordance with that goal, the purpose of this qualitative study was to:
1. Examine the experiential process of police officers during officer-initiated
contacts with citizens.
2. Explore how the officer’s perceptions of the citizen’s motivations, attitudes,
and cooperation during the contact resulted in certain avoidable or
desirable discretionary decision-making outcomes.
By contrasting the contextual interpretations and expectations that officers
bring to this dynamic, we can further identify and understand areas of
conflict and disagreement, and greatly improve individual and collective
citizen-police relations.
Purpose and Objectives
• A collective case study was conducted within a police department in Central
Oregon
• Focused specifically on officer-initiated contacts with citizens.
• Social contract and procedural justice theories as the philosophical
approach.
• Sample - 10 officers
• Variables:
• Background traits (e.g., education, training and experience)
• Demographic data (e.g., age, tenure)
• Contextual/environmental variables (e.g., weather, time of day,
call type)
Data was collected during ride-along observations of police contacts, and from
interviews with police officers that described their interpretations of those
contacts. Data was then compared to the average performance activities of that
officer over the prior four years, and with patrol activities and calls for service.
Because each community possesses its own set of unique values and
composition, the methods used in this study are designed to be applied to any
community that desires a closer examination of their citizen-police relations.
Methodology and Sample
Results of the Findings
Proving why we do what we do
Donal A Hardin, Ph.D. 619-948-5330
hardinsteel@gmail.com
This philosophy encourages the presence and growth procedural justice tenets
within citizen-police interactions, which aims to achieve a collaborative
atmosphere for the exchange of information. It also provides an avenue for the
exchange of beliefs and feelings on outcomes, and informs or dispels what each
party assumed about the other in the absence of such collaborative discussions.
Contact Information
Donal A Hardin, Ph.D.
Central Oregon Community College & Walden University
An Examination of Public-Police Relations: The Officer’s Interpretive Experience
Social and Policy Value
Policing managers and executives can use the
methods of this study to indentify important
relational perspectives that can be used for
conflict resolution in their communities and
increase corresponding citizen levels of
satisfaction and quality of life. The findings of
this project provide actionable data for
improving citizen-police interaction, and can
directly foster bi-lateral reforms and
improvements in ethical policing practices. It
may also raise and enlighten public awareness
which facilitates the establishment of
harmonious social accord, encouraging
collaborative community relations in dialogs on
policies that can establish a mutual knowledge
base to reduce tension and mistrust and
maximize social harmony on issues of justice.
The value and significance of this project is
systemic, and can help reform public safety
policies where those reforms are needed
most by improving social justice dictates -
for citizens, police officers, and the
communities they serve.
Figure 1. Discretionary Reasons Stated by Officers for Enforcement Actions
Where Can You Apply This Research?
•Community outreach
-town halls, etc.
•Training
-academy
-phase
-in-service
•P&P
-use of force
-discretion
-traffic
•Legal Challenges
•Community Relations
•Annual Reports
•Budgeting
•Media Liaisons
-PIO, etc
•Complaint Resolution
•Research & EBP
Driven Solutions
Enforcement
24%
Non-
Enforcement
76%
IAER and Max-IAER
All OICs
(45)
Enforceable OICs
(29)
9% @ Max Enforcement 14% at Max Enforcement
Non-Enforcement
62%
Enforcement
38%
Theoretical Implications - COP, Procedural Justice
When enforcement action is taken, there are observable elements of citizen-
dependent actions that can be shared with communities to reduce instances of
conflict and increase levels of compliance. Advising on prevalent enforcement
standards in a community-based platform might allow citizens to move the
pendulum from there end while simultaneously educating the public on objective
standards of enforcement that can inform collaborative policy making.
Closing
•SocietySocial Contract
•Society/Community
Procedural
Justice
•CommunityCOP
•Communty/Individual (OIC)CJP
Discretionary Reasons
Stated by Officer
106 References
16 nodes
Belief or Empathy with
Citizen’s Reasons or
Situation
21 unique References
COP
35 References
(Including 4 other
unique nodes)
Legal or
Offense
Reasons
9 References
Safety and
Security
8 References
Citizen
Attitude
7 References
Compliance and
Sprit of the Law
6 References
Progressive
Enforcement
6 References
Concern for Child
3 References
Educating
Citizens
4 References
Other Categories
Honesty……….….5
No PC/Suspicion...5
Ind. Philosophy…..5
No Small Stuff…....5
Operational...…..…1
Figure 3. Enforcement Rates for Officer Initiated Contacts
Improve collaboration in your community?
Reduce Public friction and misunderstanding?
Figure 4. Contact Based Policing
This is a valuable public relations tool that quickly quantifies a snapshot of an agency’s
current activities and enforcement rates. Giving police agencies another tool and
opportunity for transparency, reform, training, and public outreach and collaboration on
each of those important public safety policy components.
Figure 2. Progressive Enforcement Continuum