SEXUAL MISCONDUCT IN THE POLICE

Chapter 1: Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study

Police officers engaging in sexual misconduct have become one of the critical concerns in modern policing especially in South Wales. Several studies have also revealed that conduct of police sexual misconduct erodes the peoples’ confidence and trust in the police organizations (Sweeting, 2022; Hohl, Johnson, and Molisso, 2022). Research shows that such misconduct comprises anything from comments of a sexual nature and sexual harassment to rape and sexual abuse (Ressler, 2019). The implications arising from such actions are severe, as they impact not only the victims and the accused individuals but police integrity and the force’s public image. It is therefore important to establish the prevalence of police-perpetrated sexual misconduct and the areas most affected in order to effect change within the police force.

Multiple cases of police officers engaged in sexual misconduct surfaces frequently in South Wales which unveil the problems rife within scores of police departments. In its recent study Blumberg et al. (2019) have revealed that such cases are frequent and require fundamental changes in the training and regulation of the police. The behaviours described in these cases show that there is a worrying trend in the abuse of power and authority (Radtke, 2022; Lugosi, 2019). Polices’ sexual misconduct results in severe psychological harm to victims, compounded by poor support and justice systems (Rackley et al., 2021). These problems call for a complex solution that involves primary prevention and secondary prevention strategies for survivors.

Sexual misconduct by police officers has serious legal and ethical ramifications that require attention from lawmakers and police departments. According to the study conducted by Mensah (2024), there is a need to enhance the legal frameworks and acceptability control measures that would curb such malpractice. These failings cause possible impunity within the police force, which in turn affects its members, the community and the criminal justice system as a whole. In addition, the effects in the process of community-police relationship can be devastating since people cannot trust police to meet their basic needs of security and protection without maltreating them or fellow citizens (VanClief, 2023). The prevention of this problem has to involve pragmatic approaches in terms of transparency, accountability as well as involvement of the public.

However, apart from legal and regulatory approaches, there is a significant need to foster culture transformation in the police set up to address sexual misconduct. Research has established that fear and a culture of silence and/or complicity typically follow these incidents (Hulley, S. and Young, 2022). It is crucial to ensure that the police undergo training to cultivate better ethical conduct and compliance with human rights. Through fostering the concept of integrity and respect, law enforcement agencies can start restoring the broken tape that defines its relationship with the society.

1.2 Problem Statement

Sexual misconduct by police officers in South Wales is an issue of immense magnitude that has not received a concrete solution as provided below. There is evidence that in recent years the number of such cases has increased, which raises concern among the population and within the police departments (Violanti et al., 2019). Police brutality, extra-judicial killings, and sexual misconduct however, remain rampant even with laid down anti-misconduct polices and regularly organized trainings against these wrongdoings (Mahdiker, 2022; Walyan, 2022). This is an ongoing problem that not only puts the safety and health of victims at risk, but also erodes the reliability and efficiency of the police department as a whole. Solving this problem is possible only with a clearly defined understanding of its causes, assessing the efficacy of the measures taken at the present, and searching for the ways to improve the existing methods.

1.3 Significance of the Study

The present research therefore intends to explore the prevalence and consequences of sexual crime by officers in South Wales police force and the findings added to the current literature on police conduct and nonconformity. Therefore, the research is intended to help establish the policy changes needed to effectively tackle the factors and the success rate of the current interventions to help enhance training programs. Finally, this work is expected to improve the standards of efficiency and desirability of the police force so as to regain public confidence for the safety and welfare of the public.

1.4 Research Questions

1. What are the common forms of sexual misconduct perpetrated by police officers in South Wales?
2. What are the underlying factors contributing to sexual misconduct by police officers in South Wales?
3. How effective are current policies and training programs in preventing sexual misconduct within the South Wales police force?

1.5 Research Objectives

1. To identify and categorize the common forms of sexual misconduct perpetrated by police officers in South Wales.
2. To investigate and analyze the underlying factors contributing to sexual misconduct by police officers in South Wales.
3. To assess the effectiveness of current policies and training programs in preventing sexual misconduct within the South Wales police force.

Chapter 2: Literature Review

2.1 Introduction

Literature review is a comprehensive evaluation of past publications that pertain to the study question and concern, which in this case is sexual misconduct by police officers in South Wales. Research shows that this problem is widespread and has a negative impact on both the victims and the credibility of police departments. The review will deliberately identify and compare quantitative research studies, particular areas pertaining to police misconduct, and the applicable theories. Through discussing these areas, this chapter will outline the future research directions and gaps in the current literature.

2.2 Empirical Review

Research conducted on police sexual misconduct continues to show alarming trends of abuse and reduced public confidence in the police. A study done by Jacobs (2021) revealed that the report of sexual misconduct by police officers is low because of fear and apprehension that they will be retaliated against and or lack of trust in the criminal justice system. Winters et al. (2020) also supported this by arguing that many victims remain silent as they feel that their reports will not be taken seriously. In addition, a recent literature review by Thomas et al. (2021) addresses the barriers to changing such practices within police agencies, including promoting a positive climate that allows abusive behavior to occur before any intervention takes place. The effects of police sexual misconduct are not a one-off incidence; they seep into the broader society, tainting the public’s perception of the police force. The implication relating to cases involving police misconduct is that the level of trust and cooperation between the community and police is likely to be low in that area. DeVylder et al. (2020) also stresses that the mental and psychological outcomes of victims, which may have trauma and mental disorders due to their experiences of police brutality. This decline in confidence in police can negatively impact policing and community security measures.

Responses by police departments and the state to respond to sexual misconduct among the members of their force have not always been adequate or proportional. Keenan, (2019) study looked at the efficiency of various policies earmarked for the reduction of cases of misconduct. The study reveals that, although, there is a possibility of improvement through certain ways for instance, overhauling and bringing a certain level of responsibility, they do not always take this in the right spirit or accomplish everything systematically. According to Ghezzi et al. (2019), the current approach that solely consists of the prevention of police brutality and immediate aid to the victims is insufficient to eliminate the origins of police misconduct. This shows that number of investigations on the subject have also highlighted the fact that culture within these police departments is a key determinant of abuse.

According to Taylor et al. (2024), there is culture of silence and complicity in police force, where officers do not want to report their peers for misconducts. Lack of consequences for offenders is also pointed out by White (2019) in this regard, thus fixing this culture of unethical behaviours. This shift in culture within force agencies is necessary for dealing with police misconduct because it focuses on the need to encourage ethical conduct in officers and sanctions misconduct. The analysis of the reviewed studies indicates that police sexual misconduct is a complex and diverse phenomenon. Solving this problem calls for a multifaceted approach, which entails policymaking, societal transformation, and institutionalization of adequate stakeholder’s support systems for survivors (Krinsky and Komar, 2021). Awareness of these dimensions is vital to strategies of preventing police corruption, and rebuilding the community’s confidence in police forces.

2.3 Nature and Prevalence of Police Sexual Misconduct

The sexual misconduct by the police force has become the subject of many researchers, thus making it possible to determine the various types of police misconduct and how prevalent it is. Purvis and Blanco, (2020) showed that police sexual misconduct can include remarking inappropriately and sexual harassment all the way up to rape and use of the individuals for sexual gratification. This misconduct typically occurs taking advantage of the power differential between police officers and citizens, which makes it especially pervasive and challenging to combat. The chances of police engaging in sexual misconduct are high and many victims do not come forward to report these incidents mainly because of fear of being retaliated or lack of faith in the legal system (Lorenz and Jacobsen, 2024). The study carried out by Burlison et al. (2021) showed that the majority of the respondents did not report the incidents mainly because reporting procedures need to be more supportive. This are underlying factors that explain why such misconduct remains rife include internal systematic police departmental anomalies like poor supervision and organizational culture that prevails in silencing complaints.

The implications of these findings are rather far-reaching as they show that police sexual misconduct remains a multifaceted problem that requires multilayered intervention strategies. They must contain measures for enhancing reporting processes, enhancing supervision and responsibility for police officers as well as the creation of ethical established organizational cultures within police departments (Pyle and Cangemi, 2019). According to O’Brien and Tyler (2019), it is important for policymakers and the police to examine the causes and extent of this problem to find better ways of supporting the victims and rebuilding the public confidence. Therefore, knowledge of the extent and type of police sexual misconduct is crucial to combating this widespread problem. Effective approaches that tackle structural problems and assist the victims are essential in reforming the current law enforcement culture.

2.4 Impact Police Sexual Misconduct on Victims and Communities

The effects caused by police sexual misconduct are not only deeply painful for the victims, but also have social implications affecting communities. Vulnerability is prone to severe psychological and emotional impacts, leading to lingering problems with their mental health and psychological well-being (Otu, Charles, and Yaya, 2020). Research by Park, and Bae (2022) also shows that, victims are likely to develop anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and poor quality of life as a result of such events. The consequences of police sexual misconduct do not end with the victim but include the entire community. According to the findings by Churchill et al. (2023), it was ascertained that cases of abuse of power by the police erode the social capital hence leading to poor collaboration between the community and the police. This lack of trust can impede policing strategies as it will reduce the likelihood of people reporting criminal activities or assisting the police in their investigations. The conflict therefore that arises with the police and the community is that social ills are worsened and the overall safety of citizens is compromised.

Policing strategies used to mitigate the problem of police sexual misconduct offenders targeting victims and communities should incorporate preventive measures, as well as appropriate support. According to O’Connell (2020), victims require adequate and proper support services through counselling, legal services, among others to help them overcome their ordeal. Furthermore, strengthening the police internal controls and promoting police professionalism and integrity could restore the public trust and diminish police community relations. Effects of police sexual misconduct on the victims and the society show that there is need for multiple strategies to combat the problem (Ricciardelli et al., 2021). Through offering its help to victims and demanding changes and improvements in police departments, one can minimize the impact of such misconducts and give the public a reason to trust police again.

2.5 Policy Responses and Reforms

The responses and the ensuing reforms required in policy systems to curb police sexual misconduct are pertinent for ending such behaviorities and, at the same time, holding officers culpable. The study by Klimczak et al (2022) shows that policy measures should also integrate the primary and secondary approaches for the management of misconduct. Bowman and West, (2021) opined that organizational training encompassing ethical horizons on individual behavior, and human rights are crucial in averting anything wrong within the police force. Additionally, Petak (2019) noted that crucial aspect of policy-making is a set of clear and adequate standards of supervision and control. Grimmelikhuijsen et al. (2021) emphasizes that these processes must be transparent, this increases public trust and can act as a deterrent to potential offenders. This has revealed that independent oversight bodies can significantly help to examine the reports of misconduct as well as guarantee that suitable remedial measures are taken.

Share oversight and creating a supportive environment for the victims must be taken as an added measure in the reform process. Similar to Reed and Caraballo, (2022) was equally of the view that creation organizational reporting channels coupled with appropriate victim support services remain critical in matters involving victim participation. Moreover, the way in which police departments maintain ethicality is something that needs to be promoted further in order to avoid any cases of misconduct in the first place. Consequently, to be effective, policy responses and reforms require implementation and obedience to the laws that support those reforms. Research by Arriola-Vigo et al. (2019) demonstrated that, despite such policies revealing some efficacies, their implementation lacks consistency and is frequently uncompensated. It is critical to guarantee that policies are implemented correctly and aligned with the required resource provisions to make the difference. Policy responses and reforms are important pillars in addressing police sexual misconduct and any other cases of police misconduct (Hohl and Stanko, 2022). Measures that include supervision, advocacy, and positive modelling are essential in eradicating police malpractice and rebuilding the public’s confidence in the police forces.

2.6 Cultural Change within Police Departments

Sexual misconduct in police departments can only be prevented and addressed if there is a change of culture within the departments. McDonnell and Nurmohamed (2021) supported this by findings that create a silence culture and complicity especially in cases of workplace misconduct such that victims cannot report, while offenders cannot be punished. According to Stimmler-Caesmann (2022), establishing a culture of transparency and accountability is important for promoting ethical and discouraging misconduct. Training and awareness sessions which focus on ethical conduct, human rights and the aspect of responsibility are some of the elements of culture transformation. A study by Kyle and White (2019) believes that such programs aid in changing the perception and conduct of the police officers in the law enforcement agencies with respect to workplace relations. Moreover, the styles exhibited by leaders within police departments also contribute towards influencing behavioral patterns within authorities. Becoming a role model by exhibiting ethical behavior and putting pressure on the officers to work equally also creates a positive departmental culture.

External regulation is also seen as one of the effective ways of introducing cultural change, as given by the research findings. Independent oversight bodies could bring an impartial view and put pressure on the police departments to stop certain practices (White et al., 2020). Research by Ciepley (2019) shows that, the public encourages the display of clear monitoring procedures and guarantees that misconduct will be penalized. This means that the change process targeted at the culture of a police department must be sustained, which would require support by the right resources. Moullin et al (2019) indicated in their study, that despite some efforts promising they fail because they are not well implemented or supported. It is crucial to make sure that cultural change interventions are consistently implemented and supported by adequate resources in order to demonstrate sustained effectiveness. Cultural transformation is also an indispensable sour for organizations to deal with and prevent sexual misconduct in Police Departments. Training and leadership and external accountability are some of the solutions that make up this change, and the continuous efforts backed up with necessary resources essential for the implementation of change to have meaningful and enduring effects.

2.7 Theoretical Framework

The theoretical framework for this study draws on two key theories: Organizational Culture Theory and the Social Learning Theory are among the theories that this research can apply. These theories form the basis from which one can comprehend the causes and the channels that can be used to tackle the sexual misconduct in the police force.

2.7.1 Organizational Culture Theory

According to the Organizational Culture Theory, power shapes the behavior of the members of an organization by the prevalent values, beliefs, and normal practices. Stein (2021) has defined organizational culture as an overwhelming force that guides people’s orienting processes and in turn guides their behaviour when faced with different situations. This theory finds it in the context of police departments to explain how the organizational culture supports ethical or unethical behavior. The study by Mutungi, Njoroge, and Minja (2019) established that organizational culture provides a means for police misconduct. Research by Wu and Makin (2019) shows that police departments operate under a culture of silence and cover-up wherein officers refuse to call out their colleagues on misconduct. This culture can be supported by low punishment for the offenders, and organizational structure that does not tolerate rebellions. Organizational culture change needs to involve a process of leadership with commitment, training and ethically proper practices alongside enforcements.

Preventing and reducing misconduct in police departments requires a focus to alter the deeply embedded culture that these organizations possess. According to Van Droogenbroeck et al. (2019), the efforts that are taken to change the culture of the police involve enforcing different training programs that which focus on ethics as well as human rights. Also, the lack of ethical standards should not be acceptable in an organization, and, therefore, the protection of the population takes place by increasing transparency and accountability (Vian, 2020). Leadership has a substantial impact on this issue as leaders who set the right example of ethical behavior and ensure that their officers adhere to such standards can help establish a positive culture within the department. According to Organizational Culture Theory, it is possible to identify the factors that may lead to police misconduct and the ways the negative organizational culture could be changed. Through reforming the police departments’ cultural norms and adjusting its institutional values, it would be possible to make proper ethical behaviors a priority and eradicate misconduct.

2.7.2 Social Learning Theory

Social Learning Theory by Bandura (1977) postulates that people learn best by observing others and copying their behavior especially if the model is considered influential in their society. This theory postulates that behavior is learned by individuals and based on their interactions within the social context. As regards police departments, Social Learning Theory is useful for understanding how and why the offending behavior continues as well as for intervention in this process. According to Syrjä (2019), knowledge acquisition in the police force is driven by the observation of behaviors by fellow officers and supervisors. When unethical behaviour is practiced and is not addressed or punished, the organisation slowly acceping this type of behaviour as the norm. According to Tiger and Hanley (2021), reinforcement processes and contingencies are critical in shaping behaviour since they involve giving or withholding desirable or undesirable consequences. In police departments, where a particular supposed law enforcement has been accused of delinquent, no repercussions for unethical carry out can decide misbehavior; however, usual application of ethical practice can encourage good conduct.

To counter police misconduct, interventions based on Social Learning Theory target the altering of the surrounding social context as well as operation within the organisation. According to Belur et al. (2020), there is evidence supporting the integration of mentoring programmes and positive role modelling as key ways of encouraging ethical practice among police officers. Also, granting training that focuses on the consequences of misconduct and the right ethical standards can assist in changing the social norms within the department, (Olesen, Amin, and Mahadi, 2019). Leadership is very influential when it comes to implementing these policies since positive examples from the leaders will help in ensuring that other officer’s conformity to the standards set down by the law. According to Social Learning Theory, behavior is learned and transmitted within the police department and among the officers. Misconduct and lack of ethical behavior can be prevented and corrected by altering the social context present within an organization and by encouraging good role models and proper reinforcement.

2.8 Literature Gap

Despite the presence of extant studies on the prevalence, consequences, and policies addressing police sexual misconduct, there are some limitations. Currently, there is a challenge of designing more elaborate researches which seek to establish the features of the victims and the efficacy of the various intervention approaches. Moreover, there is a scarcity of data on the culture and organization behind the misconduct. Therefore, further research should attempt to identify potential interventions for these factors and determine the most effective methods for establishing a culture of transparency and accountability for police departments. Filling these gaps is critical towards identifying ways through which police misconduct can be stopped, and public confidence in the police restored.