Police from an organisational sociological perspective

In this seminar, organisational-sociological approaches in police research will be explored. The main focus is less on the functions and structures of modern police organisations (although these will be discussed) and more on approaches to explaining (excessive) police violence and the resulting police and societal reactions. The first three sessions provide a substantive introduction to the seminar’s main topics as well as other relevant organisational theoretical approaches.

The second part of the seminar examines classic and current empirical studies in this field. Particular attention is given to the so-called “Cop Culture,” in contrast to “Police Culture,” as a potential cause of excessive police violence, as well as institutionally/structurally and individually rooted biases. The recommended literature also references other organisational psychological and sociological approaches. This is followed by an introduction to Procedural Justice Theory, which, despite increasing criticism of its micro-focused approach, is considered a cornerstone of research on police legitimacy. In this context, studies addressing conceptual and empirical gaps in the process-based model will be reviewed.

Another focus of the seminar is the analysis of societal legitimacy crises. Alongside the role of the media, the seminar will explore the loss of trust in the police among various social subgroups. After a brief discussion of the situation in Germany, the supposed relationship between declining police legitimacy and rising crime rates will be critically assessed. Finally, potential solutions to the problem of excessive police violence will be discussed.