Cop culture and its transmission within police organisations

Abstract

Aim: To study the way in which cop culture is transmitted, by examining the phenomena and cases that have been identified in the main areas of police culture: professional characteristics, values, canteen culture, code of silence.
Methodology: The author uses qualitative research, document and content analysis.
Findings: Research in the main areas of cop culture shows that deviant behaviour is rarely achieved by immediate action, by showing 'example'. One possible mode of transmission is mainly through verbalisation, which may be a kind of testing phase, followed by deviant behaviour. The detection of such cases is made more difficult by the characteristics of the police profession – (uncritical) loyalty, need for trust, conformity or empathy – thus helping to maintain and reproduce an inappropriate cop culture.
Value: Describes the role of morale in cop culture and police profession.