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Policing fraud in England and Wales: examining constables’ and sergeants’ online fraud preparedness

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Abstract

The significant economic and emotional consequences of online fraud have not been equally matched by the policing response to these offenses. This paper examines constables’ and sergeants’ perceived preparation to respond to online fraud through a quantitative analyses of survey data collected from over 1300 officers from 35 local police agencies across England and Wales. The findings demonstrated that constables and sergeants being prepared to respond to online fraud was related to agencies having clear policies and procedures, constables having computer skills and online incident experiences, and being able to relate to fraud victims. The implications of this study for first responder training and resource development to respond to cybercrimes are considered.

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Notes

  1. The education variable captures individuals who have had a post-high school/pre-college educational testing for degree placement, compared to those with the equivalent of an associates or two-year degree, and four-year bachelor’s degree.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology, Georgia Southern University, Armstrong Campus, 11935 Abercorn Street, Savannah, GA, 31419, USA

    Adam M. Bossler

  2. Michigan State University, East Lansing, USA

    Thomas J. Holt

  3. Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia

    Cassandra Cross

  4. University of South Florida, Tampa, USA

    George W. Burruss

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  1. Adam M. Bossler
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  2. Thomas J. Holt
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  3. Cassandra Cross
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  4. George W. Burruss
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Correspondence to Adam M. Bossler.

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Bossler, A.M., Holt, T.J., Cross, C. et al. Policing fraud in England and Wales: examining constables’ and sergeants’ online fraud preparedness. Secur J 33, 311–328 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1057/s41284-019-00187-5

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