Police Administration and Ineffective Civilian Oversight: A Grounded Theory

Abstract

This qualitative grounded theory study uses the voices of current and former law enforcement officers to consider the problems that can arise with police administration when there exists ineffective civilian oversight.The n = 10 participants in this study serve or served as professional uniformed and sworn police officers from different municipalities throughout the United States. The findings of this study seemingly spotlight the notion that ineffective civilian oversight promotes a culture of corruption in the police subculture and fuels the distrust of the communities they are sworn to protect and serve. The implication of this study is forming a foundation for law enforcement agencies to grow on in order to improve community policing so as to benefit the officers and the civilians they serve.