An ethnographic study of police culture in a rural Kansas police agency

• Published in: Policing : an international journal of police strategies & management 2024-06, Vol.47 (3), p.353-366
• Main Authors: Davis, Joshua J., Birzer, Michael L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Community policing; Crime; Crime prevention; Culture; Enforcement; Ethnography; Interviews; Investigations; Official misconduct; Police; Police departments; Qualitative research; Rural areas
• ISSN: 1363-951X; 1758-695X
• DOI: 10.1108/PIJPSM-11-2023-0156

PurposeThe study examined rural police culture in one Kansas police agency.Design/methodology/approachThis study used a qualitative ethnographic approach using in-depth interviews and non-participant observations to construct and interpret the culture of rural police through the lens of officers working in one rural police agency.FindingsFive themes were found that described the complexities rural police officers face at this research site, including the law being at the center of officers’ actions, the nature of crime, officers serving as jack of all trades, community relationships and enforcement of crimes by teenagers, and how outside pressures from the community and increased concern for citizens' safety affect officers' daily lived experiences.Originality/valueThere is a dearth of scholarly literature addressing rural and small-town policing. This study is the first known qualitative study to be conducted on rural Kansas police, allowing a snapshot of the workings of rural Kansas police.