Barbin, Arianna, Gekoski, Anna, Davies, Kari and Horvath, Miranda (2024) Policing rape and serious sexual offences: officers’ insights on police specialism. Journal of Criminal Psychology. ISSN 2009-3829 (In Press)

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Abstract

Purpose. Several studies have been conducted to understand why the conviction rate for rape and serious sexual offences (RASSO) remains so low. Increasing pressure and criticism have led to questioning why improvements in RASSO investigations are proving ineffective. Previous findings have hypothesised that police specialism could help police officers better tackle RASSO, but more research is needed. Methodology. Eighty-two semi-structured interviews were conducted. Data collection spanned across two years, from October 2021 until May 2023, and included police officers from four police forces in England and Wales. Template Analysis was used to identify recurrent patterns around police specialism for RASSO. Findings. Most officers viewed specialism as a tool to improve how police forces prevent and tackle RASSO. Despite this, the lack of prioritisation of specialist training, roles, and units specifically for this crime type has hindered the development of evidence-based practice in policing. The impact on well-being, resources, organisational support and role identity has been explored. Originality. This is the first qualitative study to look at officers’ insights on police specialism for RASSO in England and Wales. Officers discussed day-to-day challenges associated with conducting RASSO investigations while reflecting on potential advantages related to dedicated specialist units and/or specialist roles.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	policing, police specialism, specialism, specialist units, police interviews, RASSO, RASSO investigators, sex offences, police officers
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
Divisions:	Other Departments (Central units) > Research Directorate
Depositing User:	Miranda Horvath
Date Deposited:	16 Aug 2024 08:45
Last Modified:	16 Aug 2024 08:45
URI:	https://oars.uos.ac.uk/id/eprint/3989

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