A Behavioural Science Approach to Tackling Sexism and Misogyny in Policing: Interventions for Instigating Cultural Change

Changing ingrained behaviours linked to sexism and misogyny in policing cannot be achieved by a quick fix. There are numerous barriers to change within the policing system, which require multiple targeted interventions running in parallel to tackle sexism and misogyny successfully. A behavioural science approach was applied to ‘diagnose’ the problem and identify interventions systematically. This approach does not seek to explain behaviour in terms of the characteristics of individual officers or staff. It combines insights from a range of disciplines to understand how people act in particular contexts. There is no single intervention that can shift ingrained behaviour; a package of targeted interventions is needed. Using the ‘behaviour change wheel’ as the underpinning framework, four target behaviours, seven key influences on behaviour and twelve interventions for change were identified. The connections between the behaviours, influences and interventions illustrate how a holistic package of interventions is required to change culture across the policing system.