In Their Own Words: Police Officers' Insights on Identifying and Overcoming Contemporary Policing Challenges

Abstract

This study uses semi-structured interviews to investigate twenty-six police officers' insights on identifying and overcoming contemporary policing challenges in the United Kingdom (UK). The findings reveal that the primary challenges include (i) public trust in the police, (ii) police officers' recruitment and retention, (iii) resourcing and funding, (iv) the lack of adequate training, (v) the undefined police role, (vi) the prevention of complex crimes, mainly fraud and cybercrime. The study highlighted the reasons for these challenges and how they can be addressed, as seen through police officers' eyes. The findings have implications for policing research, governance, leadership, and legitimacy, which are later discussed.