Understanding diversity in policing: Serbian perspectives
Abstract
Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to examine relations between police and vulnerable social groups in Serbia as a post-conflict society in transition. Design/methodology/approach - The research is based on a qualitative methodology that generated data from 13 round tables and focus groups. Findings - Although the attitude of the police is gradually changing, representatives of minority groups perceive that the police still hold preconceived stereotypes regarding some societal groups. In order for the police to gain the confidence of these minority groups, they must proactively seek to engage these groups more meaningfully. Institutions in Serbia have still not developed an appropriate strategy for dealing with minority group victims of violence. In addition to legal problems, there are those issues that are embedded within wider cultural stereotypes. Excessive centralization and the hierarchical structure of the police have tended to exacerbate relations between the police and min...ority communities. Members of these ethnic minorities therefore tend to view the perceived inappropriateness of responses to inter-ethnic incidents as being due to a number of causes. Research limitations/implications - Owing to the qualitative approach, the results are not easily generalizable, but they indicate the most important problems of Serbian policing regarding marginal social groups. Practical implications - This research may be a useful source of information for the Ministry of Interior in attempts to improve relations with minority groups. Originality/value - This paper reveals problems in relations between the police and vulnerable social groups and draws on the views of both minorities and the police. In Serbia, there is no similar research into this issue.
Keywords:
Police / Discrimination / Disadvantaged groups / Ethnic minorities / SerbiaSource:
Policing-An International Journal of Police Strategies & Management, 2009, 32, 3, 431-445Publisher:
- Emerald Group Publishing Ltd, Bingley
DOI: 10.1108/13639510910981590
ISSN: 1363-951X
WoS: 000270054600003
Scopus: 2-s2.0-70350648552
Collections
Institution/Community
FBTY - JOUR AU - Kešetović, Želimir PY - 2009 UR - https://rhinosec.fb.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/37 AB - Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to examine relations between police and vulnerable social groups in Serbia as a post-conflict society in transition. Design/methodology/approach - The research is based on a qualitative methodology that generated data from 13 round tables and focus groups. Findings - Although the attitude of the police is gradually changing, representatives of minority groups perceive that the police still hold preconceived stereotypes regarding some societal groups. In order for the police to gain the confidence of these minority groups, they must proactively seek to engage these groups more meaningfully. Institutions in Serbia have still not developed an appropriate strategy for dealing with minority group victims of violence. In addition to legal problems, there are those issues that are embedded within wider cultural stereotypes. Excessive centralization and the hierarchical structure of the police have tended to exacerbate relations between the police and minority communities. Members of these ethnic minorities therefore tend to view the perceived inappropriateness of responses to inter-ethnic incidents as being due to a number of causes. Research limitations/implications - Owing to the qualitative approach, the results are not easily generalizable, but they indicate the most important problems of Serbian policing regarding marginal social groups. Practical implications - This research may be a useful source of information for the Ministry of Interior in attempts to improve relations with minority groups. Originality/value - This paper reveals problems in relations between the police and vulnerable social groups and draws on the views of both minorities and the police. In Serbia, there is no similar research into this issue. PB - Emerald Group Publishing Ltd, Bingley T2 - Policing-An International Journal of Police Strategies & Management T1 - Understanding diversity in policing: Serbian perspectives VL - 32 IS - 3 SP - 431 EP - 445 DO - 10.1108/13639510910981590 UR - conv_381 ER -
@article{ author = "Kešetović, Želimir", year = "2009", abstract = "Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to examine relations between police and vulnerable social groups in Serbia as a post-conflict society in transition. Design/methodology/approach - The research is based on a qualitative methodology that generated data from 13 round tables and focus groups. Findings - Although the attitude of the police is gradually changing, representatives of minority groups perceive that the police still hold preconceived stereotypes regarding some societal groups. In order for the police to gain the confidence of these minority groups, they must proactively seek to engage these groups more meaningfully. Institutions in Serbia have still not developed an appropriate strategy for dealing with minority group victims of violence. In addition to legal problems, there are those issues that are embedded within wider cultural stereotypes. Excessive centralization and the hierarchical structure of the police have tended to exacerbate relations between the police and minority communities. Members of these ethnic minorities therefore tend to view the perceived inappropriateness of responses to inter-ethnic incidents as being due to a number of causes. Research limitations/implications - Owing to the qualitative approach, the results are not easily generalizable, but they indicate the most important problems of Serbian policing regarding marginal social groups. Practical implications - This research may be a useful source of information for the Ministry of Interior in attempts to improve relations with minority groups. Originality/value - This paper reveals problems in relations between the police and vulnerable social groups and draws on the views of both minorities and the police. In Serbia, there is no similar research into this issue.", publisher = "Emerald Group Publishing Ltd, Bingley", journal = "Policing-An International Journal of Police Strategies & Management", title = "Understanding diversity in policing: Serbian perspectives", volume = "32", number = "3", pages = "431-445", doi = "10.1108/13639510910981590", url = "conv_381" }
Kešetović, Ž.. (2009). Understanding diversity in policing: Serbian perspectives. in Policing-An International Journal of Police Strategies & Management Emerald Group Publishing Ltd, Bingley., 32(3), 431-445. https://doi.org/10.1108/13639510910981590 conv_381
Kešetović Ž. Understanding diversity in policing: Serbian perspectives. in Policing-An International Journal of Police Strategies & Management. 2009;32(3):431-445. doi:10.1108/13639510910981590 conv_381 .
Kešetović, Želimir, "Understanding diversity in policing: Serbian perspectives" in Policing-An International Journal of Police Strategies & Management, 32, no. 3 (2009):431-445, https://doi.org/10.1108/13639510910981590 ., conv_381 .