A Study Into The Professionalisation of Policing by Examining the Link Between The Epistemic Authority And Self-Legitimacy Of Frontline Police Constables

Abstract

Epistemic Authority (EA) refers to the recognition of the credibility of expertise that someone possesses in a particular subject area. It is important in the police as police officers have to make informed decisions every day which can affect the lives of citizens and is important in fostering trust within and without the service.

Self-Legitimacy (SL) within the police is the sense that that officers’ powers and the way they exercise said powers are right and proper. This is essential for officers as it can positively affect the way in which officers conduct themselves and develop trust and confidence within the community.

This thesis is derived from a mixed methods study of frontline emergency response officers in a county police force in England. Initially this thesis examines the history of the concepts of EA and SL through the lens of the police professionalisation agenda (making particular reference to the Police Education Qualifications Framework). Following this is the detail of the empirical study itself which measured the levels of personal Epistemic Authority and Self-Legitimacy of those officers and if there is a possibility of a relationship between the two through a combination of a survey of frontline police officers in a mid-sized county police force in England, and subsequent semi-structured interviews. Finally, there is a discussion of future developments that came about during the study and makes further recommendations to the police service and scope for further research.

In summary the study found that levels of EA and SL are high, certainly averaging above median and modal measures, and that there is a moderate correlation between the two, but a causal relationship cannot be established at this time. That the development of professional knowledge through education and training is important, but SL can be affected by lack of support especially from the public.

Date of Award	2026
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Canterbury Christ Church University
Supervisor	Katarina Ozcakir Mozova (Supervisor)