From Protectors to Perpetrators: Exploring the Justification and Accountability of Police Misconduct in Sweden
(2024) SOLM02 20241Department of Sociology of Law
- Abstract
- This study delves into instances where individuals in positions of authority breach the trust vested in their roles. Despite the occurrence of misconduct by powerful actors, these incidents are often overlooked in academic and socio-legal discourse. This thesis therefore aims to address this gap, by exploring how police officers in Sweden justify their misconduct, as well as how they are held accountable, and what impact it might have on the public's trust in the police authority. The study is conducted based on previous research that discusses various facets of police misconduct, including institutional dynamics, individual attributes, and accountability measures. However, previous literature is also used to highlight the gap that exists... (More)
- This study delves into instances where individuals in positions of authority breach the trust vested in their roles. Despite the occurrence of misconduct by powerful actors, these incidents are often overlooked in academic and socio-legal discourse. This thesis therefore aims to address this gap, by exploring how police officers in Sweden justify their misconduct, as well as how they are held accountable, and what impact it might have on the public's trust in the police authority. The study is conducted based on previous research that discusses various facets of police misconduct, including institutional dynamics, individual attributes, and accountability measures. However, previous literature is also used to highlight the gap that exists in the field regarding the justification of police misconduct. The study employs Sykes and Matza's (1957) Neutralisation Theory and Bovens’ (2007) Accountability Framework to analyse empirical cases of misconduct in Sweden. Using interpretative content analysis, it examines how justification and accountability measures are applied in these cases. The findings reveal persistent use of neutralisation techniques to justify the officers’ actions, despite convictions. Further, the result shows, while rarely citing occupation as justification, their professional alignment underscores the need for comprehensive approaches to address misconduct within the police force. Mechanisms of accountability encompass legal, professional, administrative, and social dimensions. Convictions also point to the seriousness of misconduct. However, further research might show that disparities with the public occur, prompting the need for reform. This research contributes to the discourse on police misconduct and accountability and serves as a base for further research as well as implementation procedures to tackle misconduct within the police authority. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
http://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/9157746
- author
- Cederstrand, Lovisa LU
- supervisor
-
- Ida Nafstad LU
- organization
- course
- SOLM02 20241
- year
- 2024
- type
- H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
- subject
- keywords
- Powerful, Police, Misconduct, Crime, Accountability, Justification, Trust
- language
- English
- id
- 9157746
- date added to LUP
- 2024-06-19 12:53:21
- date last changed
- 2024-06-19 12:53:21
@misc{9157746,
abstract = {{This study delves into instances where individuals in positions of authority breach the trust vested in their roles. Despite the occurrence of misconduct by powerful actors, these incidents are often overlooked in academic and socio-legal discourse. This thesis therefore aims to address this gap, by exploring how police officers in Sweden justify their misconduct, as well as how they are held accountable, and what impact it might have on the public's trust in the police authority. The study is conducted based on previous research that discusses various facets of police misconduct, including institutional dynamics, individual attributes, and accountability measures. However, previous literature is also used to highlight the gap that exists in the field regarding the justification of police misconduct. The study employs Sykes and Matza's (1957) Neutralisation Theory and Bovens’ (2007) Accountability Framework to analyse empirical cases of misconduct in Sweden. Using interpretative content analysis, it examines how justification and accountability measures are applied in these cases. The findings reveal persistent use of neutralisation techniques to justify the officers’ actions, despite convictions. Further, the result shows, while rarely citing occupation as justification, their professional alignment underscores the need for comprehensive approaches to address misconduct within the police force. Mechanisms of accountability encompass legal, professional, administrative, and social dimensions. Convictions also point to the seriousness of misconduct. However, further research might show that disparities with the public occur, prompting the need for reform. This research contributes to the discourse on police misconduct and accountability and serves as a base for further research as well as implementation procedures to tackle misconduct within the police authority.}},
author = {{Cederstrand, Lovisa}},
language = {{eng}},
note = {{Student Paper}},
title = {{From Protectors to Perpetrators: Exploring the Justification and Accountability of Police Misconduct in Sweden}},
year = {{2024}},
}