De-escalating Defiance: What Police Body-Worn Cameras Reveal About Sovereign Citizen Encounters

• In Event: A Kaleidoscope of Ideologically-motivated Extremism: Causes, Consequences & Solutions

Abstract

Policing agencies across Australia have reported a concerning rise in sovereign citizen encounters. Characterised by conspiracy beliefs and anti-government sentiment, sovereign citizens are part of a decentralized movement that rejects local, state, and federal laws, often believing that the government itself is illegitimate. Their interactions with law enforcement frequently involve noncompliance, verbal defiance, and, in some cases, escalation to violence—posing a significant operational and officer safety risk. This presentation explores whether procedural justice policing can serve as a risk mitigation strategy, reducing the likelihood of sovereign citizen encounters escalating into threats or violence. Utilising over 200 body-worn camera (BWC) videos from the Queensland Police Service (QPS) in Australia, this research systematically analyses police interactions with sovereign citizens. Using a rigorous systematic social observation methodology, this study codes key elements of these interactions, including procedural justice indicators (voice, neutrality, respect, and trust), escalation patterns, and ideological expressions. By identifying behavioural patterns and risk factors, this research assesses whether procedural justice techniques—such as respectful communication and fairness from police—can de-escalate confrontational encounters and reduce threats to police officers. Findings from this study will inform frontline policing and threat assessment practice by identifying early warning signs of sovereign citizen ideology, and offering evidence-based strategies to manage these encounters safely. Additionally, this research contributes to theoretical discussions on applying procedural justice policing to interactions with anti-government movements.

Authors

• Emma Shakespeare, Griffith Criminology Institute, Griffith University

• Keiran Hardy, Griffith University

• Kristina Murphy, Griffith University