The Use of Force by Policemen: Causes and Reasons

Policemen, in recent times, are being victimized by public as indulging in improper use of force on suspects and public as well. This study aimed to explore the causes and reasons for the use of force by policemen. The research method was qualitative and the participants were five policemen, each representing different hierarchy in the police department. The data was collected by interview method. Phenomenology was the paradigm and the analysis was thematic. Triangulation was employed to identify the common themes. The study highlights three themes.  The first theme represented high stress levels where long working hours, no weekly off and holidays, difficulty in fulfilling basic needs and pressure from higher authorities made the police vulnerable to use force. The second theme identifies maintaining law and order as the reason for the use of force. This theme also describes specific situations in which the use of force would be considered appropriate and legal. The third theme identifies self defence as one of the causes for the use of force by policemen.