Explanation
Cop culture refers to the informal, often unspoken cultural norms and shared values among police officers that shape their worldview and daily practices. It includes solidarity, suspicion of outsiders, an “us vs. them” mentality, and loyalty to fellow officers. While it can foster teamwork and resilience, it also enables problematic behaviors like code of silence, resistance to reform, and tolerance of misconduct. Scholars study cop culture to understand barriers to accountability and the reproduction of institutional power and inequality in policing.
Theoretical Reference
Organizational Culture Theory; Critical Criminology; Police Studies