ASSIGNMENT
Ethnic profiling remains a major societal and academic concern in policing. Research worldwide shows that some groups of citizens are stopped more often than others. These stops are also more frequently experienced as unfair.
Studies emphasize the role of procedural justice (Tyler, 2004). When citizens perceive police stops as objective, fair, and transparent, trust in the police increases. Higher trust, in turn, strengthens citizens’ willingness to cooperate with law enforcement.
To promote objectivity and reduce the risk of (perceived) ethnic profiling, the Amsterdam police unit introduced the Selectiepaal (selection pole). This technological tool supports officers by randomly selecting vehicles or individuals for inspection. Although the selection pole is already used in practice, solid empirical evidence on its effects is still lacking.
This study is embedded in a broader debate on the role of technology in contemporary policing. Technological tools are increasingly introduced to support police decision-making, enhance efficiency, and promote consistency and objectivity in police work. Research shows that such technologies do not merely improve efficiency, but also reshape police discretion, organizational routines, and interactions with citizens (Brayne, 2020; Manning, 2008).
The selection pole can be understood as a form of technology-mediated decision-making that redistributes discretion from individual officers to a standardized and transparent mechanism. Studying its effects therefore contributes not only to evaluating a specific tool, but also to broader insights into how technology can support fair, legitimate, and efficient policing practices.
Aim of the research
The aim of this study is to examine the effect of the selection pole on:
- the course of police stops (e.g. fairness, transparency, and duration);
- citizens’ perceived procedural justice.
The central question is whether, and how, police stops conducted with the selection pole differ from stops without it.
Role of the Student
Students will take an active and substantive role in the project. You will:
- contribute to the research design (e.g. experimental setup, measurement instruments);
- help develop observation protocols and questionnaires;
- collect field data, including: observing police stops with and without the selection pole, and conducting short interviews or surveys with citizens after a stop;
- contribute to the interpretation and analysis of the findings.
Research Design
The study has an experimental design, comparing police stops conducted with and without the selection pole. The exact design will be further developed in close collaboration with the student.
Expected Contribution
The research will provide insight into the added value of the selection pole and support evidence-based policy decisions (e.g. continuation, adaptation, or scaling up). It also contributes to broader knowledge on how technology can promote objectivity and procedural justice in policing.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION ORGANIZATION
The Dutch Nationale Police currently employs approximately 60,000 staff, ranging from uniformed officers to specialised investigative and intelligence personnel. The organisation combines operaitonal expertise with research-driven approaches to continuously improve policing strategies and practices. It is committed to a multi-year transformation program focused on enhancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at all levels of the police. In this regard, it also seeks to make police contacts with the public fairer and more effective. For this internship, the student will conduct much of the work remotely, while data collection and field activities will take place at various police units.
AVAILABILITY
Available in block 2B. This internship is open for 1 student. Professional skills in Dutch language (speaking and writing) is a preference due to the data collection in the field.
INTERESTED?
Please contact the PCRS internship coordinator Miriam Oostinga (m.s.d.oostinga@utwente.nl).
LITERATURE
- Brayne, S. (2020). Predict and surveil: Data, discretion, and the future of policing. In Predict and Surveil: Data, Discretion, and the Future of Policing. https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780190684099.001.0001
- Manning, P. (2008). The technology of policing: Crime mapping, information technology, and the rationality of crime control. In The Technology of Policing: Crime Mapping, Information Technology, and the Rationality of Crime Control. https://doi.org/10.1177/009430610903800224
- Tyler, T. R. (2004). Enhancing Police Legitimacy. The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 593(1), 84–99. https://doi.org/10.1177/0002716203262627