The present study uses the theoretical perspective of social constructionism. In studying social problems, social constructionism steps back and looks at who calls ‘something’ a (social) problem and how they define (and explain) this problem (Burr, 2003; Clarke, 2006). In other words, it puts the emphasis on meanings and ascribed meanings. This is because meanings, visions and perceptions make “sense” of a subject and lend structure to its reality. They build up a social reality which is continually (re)produced through social interaction. There is also the question of to what extent an
(internal) representation or discourse, being a reflection of how the actors construct “their own” reality, actually manifests itself in practice and whether or not it affects social (inter)action. The central question in the present study is that of how (and why) police officers build up their view of the world and people (“the community” included) and categorise and label on the basis of these constructions (Van Maanen, 1978). To what extent (and why) do they reason in terms of “limits” of “feasibility” or workability and how meaning attribution affects social action (Swidler, 1986) (in this case, policing)
and thus the implementation of a policy (in this case, community oriented policing) (Boussard, Loriol & Caroly, 2006).