Police officers follow basic principles of respectful policing, but new research shows the more emotionally demanding aspects of procedural justice can be harder to put into practice on the frontline.
The Griffith University study analysed body-worn camera (BWC) transcripts from random breath test (RBT) stops to observe how police officers applied a script containing the four key elements of procedural justice; neutrality, trustworthy motives, giving citizens a voice and dignity and respect.
The research was part of a larger road policing project, Operation Whiskey Rider, conducted by researchers from the Griffith Criminology Institute looking at police interactions with drivers and motorcycle riders at a high-crash mountain road location, Mount Glorious, on the outskirts of Brisbane.
Lead author and former police detective, Dr Margo van Felius said previous research in this field relied on public perceptions of how police were delivering procedural justice scripts.
“By analysing the body-worn camera transcripts, we were able to examine actual officer behaviour rather than relying solely on citizen perceptions,” Dr van Felius said.
Co-author, Associate Professor Elise Sargeant, Deputy Director (Research) School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, said given how many interactions happened between officers and drivers at RBT sites, it was important to make sure these were high-quality interactions.
Officers engaged riders using the procedural justice techniques and point-to-point cameras tracked the riders’ behaviour following the interaction, revealing a noticeable reduction in speeding.
Co-author Chief Inspector Corey Allen said Queensland Police had been working with Griffith University researchers since 2024 to develop a practical model officers could use to improve interactions with the public.
“From my own experience as a police officer, I know that people often remember how an officer made them feel long after the interaction has ended,” Chief Inspector Allen said.
“Taking the time to listen, explain our actions and treat people with dignity can make a significant difference to their confidence in police and their willingness to do the right thing.”
Co-author, Associate Professor Lyndel Bates said police officers who participated in the intervention were asked to complete an online learning package in procedural justice, incorporating a standardised script which they were required to memorise and adapt in their own words.
“While many officers reliably introduced themselves, conveyed road toll information, explained the survey, and offered a courteous farewell, other components of the script were far less consistently applied,” Associate Professor Bates said.
“Few officers explicitly articulated the random nature of the stop, acknowledged the emotional toll of notifying families of road fatalities, or addressed the dangers associated with mountain roads.”
“The study showed that police officers generally followed the respectful and straightforward parts of the script, but the elements requiring emotional engagement and two-way conversation were much harder to put into practice,” Dr van Felius added.
“That highlights an important gap between knowing the principles of procedural justice and confidently applying them during real-world interactions.”
Practical solutions to strengthen the use of procedural justice in the real world were required including better training, simpler scripts and ongoing support for police.
How do police adapt a procedural justice script during random breath test traffic stops? An analysis of body-worn camera transcripts has been published in Police Practice and Research.
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Margo van Felius
Lyndel Bates
