Citation

Havelund J, Joern L, Rasmussen K. Police Pract. Res. 2015; 16(1): 65-78.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/15614263.2013.865184

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Several studies stress the importance of thorough knowledge of supporter culture in order to assess the actual level of risk at football matches thereby ensuring a balanced approach by the police in order to avoid conflict situations. This study examines how Danish police officers perceive and categorise football supporters on the basis of a field-based observational study and a qualitative interview study undertaken at the East Jutland Police department in Denmark in the period 2008-2009. The main findings show a general lack of knowledge of supporter culture as well as scepticism towards engaging in dialogue with football supporters. As a consequence of these findings, the East Jutland Police department initiated an educational programme on dialogue policing in 2010. The programme has been successfully evaluated and is now implemented on a national basis.

Keywords: Soccer