Amidst the multifaceted nature of governance, the role of police institutions is of central importance since it is tasked with the duty of harmonizing public safety with individual freedoms. The magnitude of police responsibilities extends beyond the enforcement of laws and public safety; it encapsulates the preservation of democracy, the maintenance of social order, and the protection of human rights.

The way police act among them and with the community is influenced by its culture. Police culture is generally defined as a combination of values, attitudes, prejudices and working practices that are commonly found amongst the lower ranks of the police (Westmarland, 2012). Crank (2014) argued that police culture are shared experiences, values, and symbols that create a sense of identity and loyalty among officers. This culture creates a dynamic power within law enforcement organizations, influencing the way officers understand their role in society, make decisions, and interact with one another and the public. As such, authors such as Prenzler (1997) suggested that to carry out a complete study on policing, police culture should be researched and understood.

Police culture is an informal and often implicit set of cultural elements that shape the identity and behavior of law enforcement officers. This culture is generally believed to affect police functioning negatively and alienates police officers from them the public. It is influenced by various factors, including historical traditions, organizational structures, and training practices (Cockcroft, 2012). Police culture has also been identified as a significant obstacle to policing reforms and a factor that perpetuates negative practices including the misuse of authority, sexual harassment, discrimination against minorities, and excessive use of force (Chan, 2007). Understanding police culture is important since it helps grasp the dynamics within law enforcement agencies and to identify areas in need of reform. In this sense, police culture reform has become a pressing necessity in contemporary society, as law enforcement agencies grapple with issues of accountability, transparency, and community trust (Ingram, Terrill, & Paoline III, 2018). As society evolves, so too must the culture that guides police institutions, ensuring they serve as strongholds of a just and equitable society. This article delves into the intricacies of police culture, exploring both its positive aspects and the challenges it poses to fostering accountability, transparency, and community trust.

This publication has been produced with the assistance of the European Union, within the project “Supporting Accountable and Human Rights-oriented Security Sector through Research, Advocacy and Inclusive Dialogue”. Its contents are the sole responsibility of Social Justice Center and they do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.

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