Applying “spidey sense”: Emotional Intelligence and Police Decision-Making at Domestic Incidents Anne Eason This thesis is submitted in partial fulfilment of the Requirement’s for the award of the degree of Professional Doctorate of Criminal Justice Studies of the University of Portsmouth. September 2019 Declaration Whilst registered as a candidate for the above degree, I have not been registered for any other research award. The results and conclusions embodied in this thesis are the work of the named candidate and have not been submitted for any other academic award. Word count: 49,726 2 Abstract Chaos theory suggests a small act can have a powerful impact on future events. This research takes this suggestion and explores the decision-making of police officers at domestic violence incidents as just such an act that can have a long-term impact on victim(s) lives. Applying the concept of emotional intelligence as an assistive means for problem-solving and decision-making, this research aimed to find out how, or if, police officers draw upon emotional intelligence in their decision- making at domestic incidents and what value they place on its development within the force. Taking a qualitative approach, 27 police officers across four police areas in England were interviewed and the data, coded and categorised, in a thematic analysis that revealed four central themes forming a new ‘emotional intelligence competence’. Environmental competence is symbolic of policing practice that is adaptive and autonomous and as recommended, supporting officers develop this will frustrate the diminishment of emotional intelligence that reportedly occurs through longer-term policing experience. It will also promote the willingness to follow instinct, essential when responding to domestic incidents. A small change in individual development that can have wider practice and cultural implications for the police service and sustainable long-term safety for the victim. 3 Acknowledgements In the first instance, I would like to thank the four participating police areas and the officers who took part, without whom, this research could not have been possible. My grateful thanks. To my supervisor, Andy Williams, who has guided and coached me through this amazing journey of self-discovery and realisation, that I can make a difference. My sincere thanks. The beers are on me. For my children, Sabrina, Andrew and Katie and my wonderful grandchildren, thanks for sticking by me. I know it feels like it has been forever. Lastly, this is for you dad (1934 - 2002). To show you that I can be that person you always knew I could be. 4 Table of Contents Declaration ........................................................................................................................................... 2 Abstract ................................................................................................................................................ 3 Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................................... 4 List of Acronyms ................................................................................................................................ 7 List of Tables ....................................................................................................................................... 8 List of figures ...................................................................................................................................... 9 Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 10 Aims and Objectives ................................................................................................................... 14 Chapter 2 – The Methodology ................................................................................................... 17 Chapter 3 - 6 Thematic Chapters ............................................................................................. 18 Discussion and Conclusion ...................................................................................................... 18 Chapter 1 – A Review of the Literature ...................................................................................... 20 Finding the Literature ................................................................................................................. 24 Contextualising the Policing of Domestic Violence (DV) .................................................. 27 Understanding Emotional Intelligence (EI) ........................................................................... 38 The EI Ability Model ..................................................................................................................... 47 EI Mixed Models ........................................................................................................................... 50 Why Goleman? - EI and Police Decision-Making ................................................................ 55 The Symbolism of Emotion ....................................................................................................... 56 Symbolism in the Police ............................................................................................................. 62 Summary ........................................................................................................................................ 68 Chapter 2 Methodology .................................................................................................................. 70 Why this? Why now? .................................................................................................................. 70 Aims and Objectives ................................................................................................................... 72 Research Paradigms ................................................................................................................... 73 Research Design and Methods ................................................................................................ 85 Ethics ............................................................................................................................................ 102 Analysis of Data: A Thematic Approach .............................................................................. 107 Using NVivo ................................................................................................................................. 114 Limitations ................................................................................................................................... 115 Writing it up ................................................................................................................................. 120 The reflective and reflexive Journey ..................................................................................... 122 Chapter 3: “Gut Instinct and Spidey Sense” .......................................................................... 127 5 The Demographics ..................................................................................................................... 127 “Gut Instinct and Spidey Sense” - Understanding .......................................................... 130 Application ................................................................................................................................... 136 Development ............................................................................................................................... 140 Summary ...................................................................................................................................... 144 Chapter 4: “I’ve got it but he hasn’t” ........................................................................................ 147 Self-confidence ........................................................................................................................... 147 Experience ................................................................................................................................... 150 Age ................................................................................................................................................. 152 Summary ...................................................................................................................................... 156 Chapter 5: “The voice in my ear” ............................................................................................... 158 Austerity ....................................................................................................................................... 158 Summary ...................................................................................................................................... 162 Chapter 6: Working in a blame culture ..................................................................................... 163 Policy and Practice .................................................................................................................... 163 Culture and accountability ...................................................................................................... 167 Fear ...............................................................................................................................................