How prevalent are deviant organizational values within law enforcement? This research elicits the personal views of Israeli police officers regarding the illegal use of force, in light of recent criticism against the Israel National Police for excessive use of physical force. Personal questionnaires were administered to a sample of police officers who had been investigated for using illegal force against citizens between 1989 and 1997. Personal opinions and experiences are highlighted. Informal messages contrary to the organization’s formal messages regarding the use of force, and justifying it in certain circumstances and for certain types of offense, seemed highly prevalent, especially among middle-rank police officers. The research identified the factors behind this. The study then discusses three points at issue: currently existing problems with auditing in the private sector, the long absence of external auditors in the public sector, and the reason why the accounting profession has not been formed in a management accounting field. The results obtained provide support for the existence of a deviant organizational subculture. If police leadership is more aware, then steps can be taken to reverse this negative subculture.
Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies & Management aims to improve policing through effective strategies and management techniques. This paper fits by exploring deviant organizational messages within the Israeli police force, a topic of direct relevance. It provides insight on the challenges that exist.
| Category | Category Repetition |
|---|---|
| Social Sciences: Social pathology. Social and public welfare. Criminology | 3 |
| Social Sciences | 2 |
| Law | 1 |
| Social Sciences: Industries. Land use. Labor | 1 |