Research and Policing in Times of Austerity
| Author | Colin Rogers,James Gravelle |
| Date | 01 September 2011 |
| Published date | 01 September 2011 |
| DOI | 10.1350/pojo.2011.84.3.528 |
| Subject Matter | Article |
JAMES GRAVELLE
Centre for Police Sciences, University of Glamorgan
COLIN ROGERS
Centre for Police Sciences, University of Glamorgan
RESEARCH AND POLICING IN
TIMES OF AUSTERITY
This article considers the importance of independent research
into the police organisation in times of austerity. By examining
police organisational culture, the current economic climate and
the recent change in government, the article illustrates the
advantages for the police when engaging with external organ-
isations for the purposes of research. Such engagement would
assist in maintaining or increasing public confidence whilst
also providing greater transparency and accountability. Using
previous research experience as a benchmark, this article will
highlight the particular difficulties in researching the police
organisation. In times of austerity, budgetary constraints
placed on the police service will have a significant impact on
research and it is suggested that the police may retreat from
external research, preferring instead either to conduct ‘in-
house’ research on a smaller scale or perhaps more likely to
postpone research altogether. Cutting staff investment and
research may only provoke the police service to return to
former cultural enclaves, resulting in the police service becom-
ing more insular and narrowly focused in its long-term object-
ives. As a result, the future of policing throughout the United
Kingdom may become less assured and lead to a decrease in
public support.
Keywords: economic downturn; organisational culture;
police; research
Introduction
Researching the police is particularly interesting due in part to
the unique position, power and privilege the state invests in the
organisation. The unique culture that exists within the police
organisation makes the challenge of research greater, never-
theless offering commentators and researchers a rare opportunity
to investigate and get in close to this powerful institution. The
political landscape in which the police operate also adds to the
sense of importance and, as policing does not exist within a
political vacuum, this makes the topic of policing a dynamic and
222 The Police Journal, Volume 84 (2011)
DOI: 10.1358/pojo.2011.84.3.528
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