The Police as Societal Moral Agents: “Procedural Justice” and the Analysis of Police Fiction

Abstract

This study analyzes the depiction of the procedural fairness with which police officers in fictional police shows exercise their authority. This study uses the relational model of procedural justice to examine whether and to what extent police officers in CSI Miami, NCIS, Without a Trace, and The Mentalist provide opportunities for participation for citizens and act in a trustworthy, respectful, and neutral manner. Results show that fictional police officers generally follow fair procedures, but sometimes break the rules. We argue that the context in which most cases of rule-breaking occur strengthens, rather than undermines, police officers' position as societal moral agents.

Notes

The authors would like to thank Research Foundation-Flanders (FWO) for providing funding for this research.

¹The coding instrument with the exact descriptions for each variable and further coding instructions can be obtained from the corresponding author.