Exploring the culture of a police rape investigation unit: a mixed methods-case study.

Abstract

In recent years, the landscape of policing rape and serious sexual offences (RASSO) has been shaped by increased reporting rates matched with consistently low conviction rates, serving police officers being convicted for rape and murder, and a revolving door of reviews that have not led to systematic progress in the investigation of RASSO. Inconsistencies have been found in the prevalence of specialist rape investigation units (RIUs), with limited research being focused on their practices and the individuals who work within them. This thesis implemented a novel mixed methods-case study methodology to address this knowledge gap, and provided an in-depth, contextualised analysis of a single RIU. Using the core characteristics of police culture (CCPC) model as a guiding framework, the phenomenon of police attitudes, socialisation, and leadership were examined within a single RIU. The methodology included three convergent mixed method studies, with the case study nested into the qualitative strands. The quantitative analysis surrounded attitudes regarding police culture (PC) and rape myth acceptance (RMA) from 164 current police force members, and was integrated with qualitative case study data from various roles and ranks within an RIU. This thesis found that the CCPC model did not converge with the case study data, with only one CCPC characteristic, mission orientation, found to align in the quantitative and qualitative strands. The IRMA scale did converge, as the overall low sub-scale scores and the neutral “she lied” sub-scale scores matched the lack of qualitative data. However, the quantitative and qualitative results that did not converge expand the conceptual understanding of the CCPC model as it relates to RIU members. The results show differences in the concept of timing in the model, with the characteristics of action-orientation, solidarity, and cynicism not aligning with the monolithic model of the CCPC. Furthermore, novel contributions were found regarding distinct organisational cultural characteristics of the single RIU from the case study data integration, regarding the RIUs process driven culture and specialist knowledge in contrast to tenure. The implications for recruitment and training within the RIU are discussed, alongside practical recommendations for how the wider policing organisation can assist in the RIU’s success.