Control behaviours during conflict resolution police-citizen encounters in South Australia and New Zealand

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Abstract

This study of New Zealand and South Australia police officers examined behavioural exchanges between officers and citizens during 276 police-citizen encounters. Appling Deutsch’s theory of conflict resolution revealed a high frequency of information exchange by both officers and citizens, the use of verbal control by officers was frequent, and the use of physical control was infrequent. However, the use of verbal control and physical control was different in each jurisdiction. When comparing victim and suspect encounters, it was revealed that officers used verbal control more frequently and for a greater proportion of time during encounters with victims than they did when interacting with suspects. Given the higher rate of verbal control behaviour when compared to physical control behaviour (i.e. force), this study adds a new dimension to the ongoing debate about police use of force. Moreover, as the first cross-national observational study of Antipodean policing, it reveals subtleties in officer practices among police agencies that have policy implications.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationUnderstanding and Preventing Community Violence
Subtitle of host publicationGlobal Criminological and Sociological Perspectives
EditorsJames Albrecht, Garth den Heyer
Place of PublicationCham Switzerland
PublisherSpringer
Chapter4
Pages73-99
Number of pages27
ISBN (Electronic)9783031050756
ISBN (Print)9783031050749
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jun 2022

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