1990/09/01 by Andrew Goldsmith
Social Sciences · #Crime Patterns and Interventions #Judicial and Constitutional Studies #Policing Practices and Perceptions
paper · doi:10.1080/10439463.1990.9964608
openalex publication_date 1990/09/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29
‘Police culture’ tends to be seen negatively, as a contrary and perverse influence upon the ‘proper’ exercise of police discretion. It is seen, quite correctly, as often subversive of the ideals and demands of legality. Yet most modern societies are essentially dependent upon rule‐based forms of police accountability. This paper suggests that the police culture needs to be approached more positively, as a potential resource in the formulation of rules governing police powers and practices. This requires that police administrators and police officers participate in negotiated rulemaking, a process similar to collective bargaining, in which police culture perspectives are drawn upon in formulating rules regulating aspects of police practice.