Conflict of interest in policing and the public sector

Conflicts of interest are a key factor in the contemporary decline of trust in government and public institutions, eroding public trust in government and democratic systems. Drawing on two unique empirical studies involving policing and the broader public sector, this paper explores the meaning and dimensions of conflict of interest by examining public complaints about conflict of interest and providing distinctive insights into the nature of conflict of interest as a problem for public sector ethics. The paper analyses and explores appropriate regulatory and management approaches for conflict of interest, focusing on three elements: (1) dealing with private interests that are identifiably problematic in the way they clash with the duties of public officials; (2) managing conflicts as they arise in the course of public sector work (manifested in preferential and adverse treatment, and other problematic areas); and (3) developing ethical and accountable organisational cultures. It is concluded that effective and meaningful public sector ethics in the pursuit of the public interest must be based on an ethos of social accountability and a commitment to prioritise the public interest in both fact and appearance.

Conflict of interest in policing : problems, practices, and principles

Examines conflict of interest across the private and public realm of the everyday lives of police officers. Outlines how the problem is an important aspect of police ethics, arguing that recognition of, and accountability for, conflict of interest may be a significant element in preventing police misconduct and corruption

Confidence in Australian institutions 1983-2005

This paper examines changes in the level of institutional confidence in Australia between 1983 and 2005. The principal aim of the paper is to disaggregate the general trend in social trust and overall institutional confidence. Using data drawn from three waves of the World Values Survey undertaken in 1983, 1995 and 2005 we examine whether social trust and confidence have declined and the differing patterns of confidence for different birth cohorts in Australia. The results show a significant decrease in social trust and a large decline in confidence between 1983 and 1995. There was little change in confidence between 1995 and 2005, but social trust returned to the 1983 level over that period. A cohort analysis shows that the oldest cohort, those born before WWII, reported the largest decline in confidence, while by 2005 the baby boomers (or middle cohort born between 1944 and 1955) were the most confident, with the oldest group reporting the least confidence. Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s confidence has been at a much lower level than in the early 1980s.

The influence of confidence in memory on checking behaviours

Recent theories of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder have suggested that meta-cognitive beliefs, particular confidence in memory, may relate to the maintenance of symptoms. For example, individuals who worry that their memory is deficient may check in order to ensure that the doors are locked, regardless of their actual memory ability. While studies have related meta-memory beliefs to OCD symptoms, and have found that memory is affected by checking behaviours; to date, no experimental literature has attempted to ascertain whether lowered confidence in memory directly leads to greater checking behaviours. In the current study 46 non-clinical participants completed a battery of questionnaires measuring these constructs, before undertaking a “memory task” designed to manipulate their level of confidence in their memory. The effect of the manipulation on the level of checking on a visuomemory task was subsequently assessed. The questionnaires indicated that cognitive confidence predicted variation in obsessive-compulsive symptoms over-and-above the influence of depressive symptoms and other OCD-related beliefs. However, while confidence in memory was successfully manipulated, the group with increased memory confidence was not found to have lower checking behaviours. Limitations of the study are discussed and directions for further research are suggested.

Exploring motivation and confidence in taking prescribed medicines in coexisting diseases: a qualitative study

Aims and objectives: To explore the motivation and confidence of people with coexisting diabetes, chronic kidney disease (CKD) and hypertension to take their medicines as prescribed. Background: These comorbidities are major contributors to disease burden globally. Self-management of individuals with these coexisting diseases is much more complicated than that of those with single diseases and is critical for improved health outcomes. Design: Motivational interviewing telephone calls were made with participants with coexisting diabetes, CKD and hypertension. Methods: Patients aged ≥18 years with diabetes, CKD and systolic hypertension were recruited from outpatient clinics of an Australian metropolitan hospital between 2008-2009. An average of four motivational interviewing telephone calls was made with participants (n = 39) in the intervention arm of a randomised controlled trial. Data were thematically analysed using the modified Health Belief Model as a framework. Results: Participants' motivation and confidence in taking prescribed medicines was thwarted by complex medicine regimens and medical conditions. Participants wanted control over their health and developed various strategies to confront threats to health. The perceived barriers of taking recommended health action outweighed the benefits of taking medicines as prescribed and were primarily related to copious amounts of medicines. Conclusion: Taking multiple prescribed medicines in coexisting diabetes, CKD and hypertension is a perpetual vocation with major psychosocial effects. Participants were overwhelmed by the number of medicines that they were required to take. The quest for personal control of health, fear of the future and the role of stress and gender in chronic disease management have been highlighted. Participants require supportive emotional interventions to self-manage their multiple medicines on a daily basis. Relevance to clinical practice: Reducing the complexity of medicine regimens in coexisting diseases is paramount. Individualised psychosocial approaches that address the emotional needs of patients with regular follow-up and feedback are necessary for optimal chronic disease self-management. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

An integrated workplace mental health intervention in a policing context: protocol for a cluster randomised control trial

BACKGROUND: In this paper, we present the protocol for a cluster-randomised trial to evaluate the implementation and effectiveness of a workplace mental health intervention in the state-wide police department of the south-eastern Australian state of Victoria. n. The primary aims of the intervention are to improve psychosocial working conditions and mental health literacy, and secondarily to improve mental health and organisational outcomes.

METHODS/DESIGN: The intervention was designed collaboratively with Victoria Police based on a mixed methods pilot study, and combines multi-session leadership coaching for the senior officers within stations (e.g., Sergeants, Senior Sergeants) with tailored mental health literacy training for lower and upper ranks. Intervention effectiveness will be evaluated using a two-arm cluster-randomised trial design, with 12 police stations randomly assigned to the intervention and 12 to the non-intervention/usual care control condition. Data will be collected from all police members in each station (estimated at >20 per station). Psychosocial working conditions (e.g., supervisory support, job control, job demands), mental health literacy (e.g., knowledge, confidence in assisting someone who may have a mental health problem), and mental health will be assessed using validated measures. Organisational outcomes will include organisational depression disclosure norms, organisational cynicism, and station-level sickness absence rates. The trial will be conducted following CONSORT guidelines. Identifying data will not be collected in order to protect participant privacy and to optimise participation, hence changes in primary and secondary outcomes will be assessed using a two-sample t-test comparing summary measures by arm, with weighting by cluster size.

DISCUSSION: This intervention is novel in its integration of stressor-reduction and mental health literacy-enhancing strategies. Effectiveness will be rigorously evaluated, and if positive results are observed, the intervention will be adapted across Victoria Police (total employees ~16,500) as well as possibly in other policing contexts, both nationally and internationally.

The management of adolescents at risk of suicide by Australian general practitioners: issues in practice and confidence

This study involved an anonymous survey of 41Victorian GPs regarding their diagnostic and treatment practices with adolescent patients with depression and/or suicide ideation. The results indicated that the majority of respondents correctly diagnosed the level of depression and the risk of suicide in a case scenario. Although they commonly asked some of the questions related to an assessment of suicide risk, they rarely conducted a comprehensive risk assessment and the level of referral to telephone and internet crisis services was poor. Most GPs indicated a lack of confidence in their ability to detect and manage depression and suicide in this population and strongly emphasized a need for more training.

Policing in the 'communal spaces' of major event venues

The recent re-conceptualization of 'mass private property' as one form of 'communal spaces' raises a series of questions concerning policing and security in these domains. This paper applies the concept of 'communal spaces' to an analysis of policing in 'major event venues.' We assess the character of policing in these communal spaces by drawing upon interviews conducted with policing—private and public—personnel operating in major event venues. The paper identifies different perspectives on the nature of policing in these communal spaces and tension between public and private police personnel concerning their respective roles and responsibilities. We conclude by raising issues concerning the implications for the 'public good' in policing at major event venues.

Managing depression in patients with vision impairment : a descriptive study of practitioners' beliefs and confidence

Aim: Depression is common in older adults with vision impairment yet it often remains unidentified and untreated.
Eye health professionals (EHPs) and rehabilitation workers (RWs) may be able to assist in detecting depression. This study identified EHPs’ and RWs’ beliefs about depression and confidence in working with patients with vision
impairment and depression.
Methods: A self-administered cross-sectional survey of 94 EHPs and RWs assessed beliefs about the symptoms and treatment for depression, and confidence in working with depressed people with vision impairment.
Results: Participants showed awareness of both the symptoms and treatment options for depression. However,
some important misconceptions were identified and many symptoms of depression were commonly attributed to
vision loss. Participants lacked confidence in communicating about depression with patients and their families.
Conclusions: Training programs are needed to enable EHPs and RWs to confidently identify depression and
discuss appropriate treatment and referral options with their patients.