Exploring Police-Citizen Conflict and Reconciliation Through a Relational Model
author | Sara Stronks |
journal | EJPS (ISSN: 2034-760X) |
volume | Volume 3 |
issue | Issue 3 |
section | Articles |
publicatie datum | 1 mars 2016 |
langue | English |
pagina | 342 |
keywords | relationship value, conflict management, relationship security, relationship compatibility, reconciliation |
abstract | In this paper, the function of reconciliation in five different Dutch cases of media-salient police-citizen group conflict is explored through a Relational Model. Based on 53 interviews with key-actors, the ratio between assessments on the value, security and compatibility of police-citizen relationships and conflict interaction is analysed. The results indicate that respondents actively describe police-citizen relationships in terms of their value, security and compatibility. Assessments on the security and compatibility of a relationship seem directly negatively affected by overt conflict. Individual negative intergroup interaction and relationship assessment can be transformed – reconciled – through critical moments of direct contact and reconciliation appears an important and effective strategy of relationship maintenance in mutually assessed valuable relationships that are challenged by overt conflict. A group reconciliation however, seems only possible when key-actor party representatives commit to the reconciliation process. |