Police Violence and Moral Narcissism: Politics and Identity in Police Narratives

• In Event: Perceptions and Policing

Abstract

Policing research continues to uncover a deep sensitivity on the part of officers to outsider critiques of police work. Indeed, the police quite often portray themselves as the victims of unjustifiable criticism. This expression of persecution is particularly acute in cases of racialized police practices. In this presentation, we explore how the concept of intent and lawfulness is used to deflect criticism in high profile cases. We utilize Hans Kundnani’s concept of moral narcissism to understand community dissatisfaction with official responses to instances of police misconduct and brutality. Specifically, we examine how the responses by individual police officers and organizations display more concern with how police conduct is lawful or correct than concern about the consequences of these actions for others. Findings are discussed in relation to the politics of knowledge and representation at play in concerns of racialized policing practices.

Authors

• Stephanie N. Whitehead, Indiana University East

• Sara M. Walsh, Indiana University Southeast