Improving Police Accountability and the Integrity of the Criminal Justice System

• In Event: Police Misconduct, Control, and Accountability

Abstract

My research evaluates the effectiveness of disciplinary measures used to address police misconduct. The focus of my study is twofold. First, it seeks to answer the following research question: are the internal disciplinary methods used to address police misconduct effect? Here, I assess whether internal (informal or formal) discipline has a deterrent effect on subsequent violations made by officers who breach internal codes of conduct. Second, as part of a sub-study, my research also addresses the question: are police officers willing to increase the transparency of their services? Specifically, I address whether police officers are willing to wear a camera as part of their frontline uniform to record their interactions with citizens. This is a a quantitative study used to understand both the goals and outcomes of internal discipline within municipal, provincial and federal police jurisdictions in Canada. By identifying systemic organizational failures, I conclude with inferences about how we could improve the transparency and accountability of police officers in order to improve the public confidence in the criminal justice system.

Author

• Tara Amber Hendy, University of Guelph