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Australian police officers' perceptions of sex offender registries
journal contribution
posted on 2014-01-01, 00:00 authored by Martine Powell, Andrew Day, Mairi Benson, Jim Vess, Joe GraffamSex offender registration schemes exist in most English speaking countries to assist police in the investigation of new crimes and to deter known offenders. To date, however, very little research has examined the efficacy of these registers. This study addresses this issue by providing the first qualitative analysis of police officers' perceptions of registration schemes. Twenty-four Australian police professionals (whose jobs were primarily associated with the operation of sex offender registration schemes) participated in focus groups in groups of 2–5 officers. Officers were recruited across three jurisdictions where quite distinct registration schemes operated. They were asked to reflect on how their register operates, how effective and efficient it is, the challenges faced in its administration and how the registry process might be improved. The key challenges addressed included; limitations in risk assessment expertise, restriction in legislative powers, and inadequate opportunity for specialisation. The implications for current practice are discussed.
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Journal
Policing and society : an international journal of research and policyVolume
24Issue
1Pagination
120 - 133Publisher
Taylor & FrancisLocation
Abingdon, EnglandPublisher DOI
ISSN
1043-9463eISSN
1477-2728Language
engPublication classification
C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journalCopyright notice
2013, Taylor & FrancisUsage metrics
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