Operationalising ‘vulnerability’: how the police are informed about, identify and respond to individuals categorised as ‘vulnerable’

Briody, Laura Josephine

Abstract

‘Vulnerability’ has become an increasing area of business within contemporary policing, (HMIC, 2015; HMICFRS, 2016). What ‘vulnerability’ means within a police framework and policing practice, however, has been elusive (Keay & Kirby, 2018). Researchers across the disciplines have weighed in on the concept, definition and measurement of ‘vulnerability’ within their respective fields without much success: the fluid and ambiguous nature of ‘vulnerability’ frequently prevents precise definition (Delor & Hubert, 2000:1558). Whilst some researchers have championed ‘vulnerability’ as critical for advancing agendas concerning social and criminal justice (Bartkowiak-Theron & Asquith, 2015; 2017), others have argued that the term is loaded with both moral and political implications (Brown, 2011; 2017).

This thesis investigates how the police are informed about, identify and respond to individuals categorised as ‘vulnerable’. Non-participant observation and semi-structured interviews with police officers and staff from an anonymous English force permitted the generating and gathering data for analysis. The findings highlight the significant difficulties concerning how ‘vulnerability’ is ‘operationalised’ within policing, and the implications for policy and practice. Inclusion and exclusion are emphasised within the data, with assumptions and biases underpinning police understandings and applications of the term, creating a conceptual hierarchy of ‘vulnerability’ that can influence decision-making. Limitations in police response speak to wider systemic problems. There is also reflection on the ‘vulnerability of the police themselves, within the context of their everyday practice, as well as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. This thesis asks serious questions concerning the cultural and practical role of the police, as well as ‘vulnerability’, in our society going forward.

Citation

Briody, L. J. Operationalising ‘vulnerability’: how the police are informed about, identify and respond to individuals categorised as ‘vulnerable’. (Thesis). Keele University. Retrieved from https://keele-repository.worktribe.com/output/1012506

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Dec 5, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Dec 19, 2024
• Public URL: https://keele-repository.worktribe.com/output/1012506
• Award Date: 2024-12