Policing Vulnerability Edited by Isabelle Bartkowiak-Théron and Nicole L Asquith

In a constantly evolving context of performance management, accountability and risk assessment, police organisations and frontline police officers are required to pay careful attention to what has come to be known as ‘at risk people’, ‘vulnerable populations’ or ‘vulnerable people’. Vulnerable people have become a key focus of policy.

Concurrently, there have been stronger demands on police, and a steep increase in police powers in relation to their interaction with vulnerable people. The premise of this protectionist and interventionist agenda is threefold: to protect the rights of vulnerable individuals proactively cater for their vulnerability within the justice system; and to secure police operations and protocols within strict guidelines.

This collection unpacks ‘vulnerable people policing’ in theory and practice and guides the reader through the policing process as it is experienced by police officers, victims, offenders, witnesses and justice stakeholders. Each chapter features a single step of the policing process: from police recruit education through to custody, and the final transfer of vulnerable people to courts and sentencing.

This edited collection provides analytical, theoretical and empirical insights on vulnerable people policing, and reflects on critical issues in a domain that is increasingly subject to speedy conversion from policy to practice, and heightened media and political scrutiny. It breaks down policing practices, operations and procedures that have vulnerable populations as a focus, bringing together original and innovative academic research and literature, practitioner experience and discussion of policy implications (from local and international perspectives).

The particular nature of this collection highlights the multi-disciplinary nature of police work, sheds light on how specific, mandatory policies guide police officers steps in their interaction with vulnerable populations, and discusses the practicalities of police decision making at key points in this process.

CONTENTS

Part One—The Emergence and Contexts of Vulnerable People Policing

Introduction: Vulnerability and Cultural Competency in Policing
Nicole L Asquith and Isabelle Bartkowiak-Théron

Critically Reflecting on being ‘at Risk’ and ‘a Risk’ in Vulnerable People Policing
Sonya Stanford

'For when equality is given to unequals, the result is inequality': The Socio-Legal Ethics of Vulnerable People
Isabelle Bartkowiak-Théron and Anna Corbo Crehan

Educating for Vulnerability
Isabelle Bartkowiak-Théron and Catherine Layton

Part Two—Police and Vulnerable Populations: First Contact

Quality of Life Policing in Broadacre Housing Estates
Rosmarie E Winter and Nicole L Asquith

Reaching out to Vulnerable People: The Work of Police Liaison Officers
Isabelle Bartkowiak-Théron

The Vulnerable Thin Blue Line: Representations of Police Use of Force in the Media
Katrina Clifford

Part Three—Police Response to Incidents Involving Vulnerable People

Policing Mental Illness: Examining the Police Role in Addressing Mental Ill-health
Victoria Herrington and Katrina Clifford

Policing Vulnerable Offenders: Police Early Encounters with Refugees
Penny Egan-Vine and Katie Fraser

Vulnerability and the Art of Complaint Making
Nicole L Asquith

Part Four—Vulnerable People and Custody

Acquired Brain Injury and Vulnerability to the Criminal Justice System
James M Huntley

Twenty Years On: Indigenous Deaths in Police Custody and Lessons from the Frontline
Lorana Bartels

Detention and Investigation of Vulnerable Suspects
Karl Roberts and Victoria Herrington

Vulnerable Suspects and Arrest and Investigative Processes
Terese Henning

Part Five—Pathways to Sentencing and Punishment

Vulnerabilities in the Courtroom
Lorana Bartels and Kelly Richards

The Relationship between Diversion, Restorative Justice and Vulnerability
Angela Robinson

The Path Forward: Policing Diversion and Desistance
Hannah Graham

Conclusion: Vulnerable People Policing – Past, Present and Future
Isabelle Bartkowiak-Théron and Nicole L Asquith