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Conflict of Interest in Policing and the Public Sector

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  • Gordon Boyce
  • Cindy Davids

Abstract

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Gordon Boyce & Cindy Davids, 2009. "Conflict of Interest in Policing and the Public Sector," Public Management Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 11(5), pages 601-640, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:pubmgr:v:11:y:2009:i:5:p:601-640
    DOI: 10.1080/14719030902798255
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    Cited by:

    1. Ozieranski, Piotr & McKee, Martin & King, Lawrence, 2012. "The politics of health technology assessment in Poland," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 108(2), pages 178-193.
    2. Nasir Iqbal & Ghulam Mustafa, 2022. "A Review of Accountability Systems: Learning from Best Practices," PIDE Knowledge Brief 2022:82, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics.
    3. Alberto ROMOLINI & Elena GORI & Silvia FISSI, 2015. "Public Corporate Governance and Performance Information in Local Utilities: The Different Perceptions of Politicians and Managers," REVISTA ADMINISTRATIE SI MANAGEMENT PUBLIC, Faculty of Administration and Public Management, Academy of Economic Studies, Bucharest, Romania, vol. 2015(25), pages 55-77, Decembre.

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