Title: The role of police oversight organisations: a systems perspective

Authors: Petter Gottschalk, Rune Glomseth

Addresses: Norwegian School of Management, Nydalsveien 17, Oslo 0442, Norway. ' Norwegian Police University College, Slemdalsveien, P.O. Box 5027, Majorstua, Oslo 0301, Norway

Abstract: Knowledge management systems refer to a class of information systems applied to manage organisational knowledge. Such systems play a critical role in police oversight business, as discussed in this paper. The great majority of individuals involved in policing is committed to honourable and competent public service and is demonstrating high standards of personal and procedural integrity in performing their duties. However, in every police organisation there exists an element of dishonesty, lack of professionalism and criminal behaviour. Police oversight agencies are watchdog bodies designed to ensure that police are operating with integrity and accountability. The Norwegian Bureau for the Investigation of Police Affairs is the police oversight agency. Since its establishment in 2005, the Bureau has prosecuted 57 police employees in criminal courts. This paper presents results from a content analysis of these court sentences.

Keywords: knowledge management; information technology; knowledge organisations; oversight business; police oversight; police misconduct; policing; watchdog bodies; integrity; accountability; Norway; court cases; police trials.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBSR.2010.033420

International Journal of Business and Systems Research, 2010 Vol.4 No.4, pp.402 - 416

Published online: 02 Jun 2010 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article