Inclusive Policing from the Inside Out

This book provides a roadmap for how police services can address incivility in the workplace and become more inclusive from the inside out. In the past few years policing has come under increased scrutiny due to a number of police-involved shootings and in-custody deaths, where systemic racism, the inability to effectively confront persons suffering from mental illness, and excessive use of force have been perceived by civil rights groups to play a significant factor. These deaths and the subsequent public outcry have led to various constituents questioning the legitimacy of the police. The book incorporates real stories of police officers and case studies of select police organizations. A look inside a number of these departments has identified an equal concern for incivility within the workplace in the form of gender and ethnic harassment and discrimination. The costs of workplace incivility can be significant as workplace victims are not only likely to decrease their work effort, quality of work, and their level of commitment to the organization, they are also likely to mistreat others in the workplace and to take their frustrations out on those they serve. While these costs have a significant impact for police organizations, incivility by police officers against members of the public can have a much greater impact in terms of eroding perceptions of police legitimacy. 

Angela Workman-Stark, PhD is a former Chief Superintendent with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Towards the latter part of her 24 years of service she held significant roles in leading significant organizational change, notably in relation to workplace climate and addressing issues of gender discrimination, harassment and bullying. Angela recently transitioned to an academic role as Associate Professor, Organizational Behavior at Athabasca University in Alberta, Canada where she continues her research interests in examining the role of gender in traditionally masculine organizations and creating inclusive workplaces. Angela’s research interests also focus on police legitimacy, procedural justice and issues of identify and belonging. Angela has taught undergraduate and graduate courses in organizational behavior and change, leadership, women in management, knowledge management, and managing diversity. In addition to her teaching and research roles she also assists police services with becoming more inclusive, and she speaks at conferences in Canada and internationally.

Angela can be contacted at angelaworkmanstark@gmail.com.