Religious Representation in the PSNI and Community Trust in Northern Ireland:: a Cross-community Analysis

Religious representation has long been held in public consciousness and state policy to be the most important topic regarding state legitimacy and neutrality for Northern Irish citizens. The extent to which religious identity of police officers affects community trust in the PSNI, in Catholic, Nationalist and Protestant, Unionist communities has not been established. This study investigates this topic by comparing two case studies, New Lodge and Shankill, most similar working-class communities except for religious identity. Using qualitative methodology of interviews, thematic analysis using theoretical framework integrated from the theories of colonial bureaucracy, representational bureaucracy, class theory and community trust and policing policy theory this research establishes how religious representation effects community trust. It is found that religious representation doesn’t affect community trust in either religious community. Instead, class representation is the most...Show moreReligious representation has long been held in public consciousness and state policy to be the most important topic regarding state legitimacy and neutrality for Northern Irish citizens. The extent to which religious identity of police officers affects community trust in the PSNI, in Catholic, Nationalist and Protestant, Unionist communities has not been established. This study investigates this topic by comparing two case studies, New Lodge and Shankill, most similar working-class communities except for religious identity. Using qualitative methodology of interviews, thematic analysis using theoretical framework integrated from the theories of colonial bureaucracy, representational bureaucracy, class theory and community trust and policing policy theory this research establishes how religious representation effects community trust. It is found that religious representation doesn’t affect community trust in either religious community. Instead, class representation is the most important identity to be represented, positively influencing their confidence in policing. This study adds to existing literature by showing that class representation within the PSNI is more influential on working-class community trust than religious representation. It highlights the need for positive relationships, egalitarian approaches and effective policing where class representation is an avenue to increase community trust.Show less

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Religious Representation in the PSNI and Community Trust in Northern Ireland: a Cross-community Analysis