Strategies for Ensuring the Fair Treatment of Persons in Police Custody: Past, Present and Future

The contribution looks at strategies for ensuring fair treatment in police custody in four different contexts. It starts with a discussion of the recent research regarding instruments and practical steps for the prevention of ill-treatment in police custody. Key institutional issues such as the roles and competencies of police officers, impunity, interrogation and corruption are the subject of the following section. The political country context is often highlighted as a main variable as it has a strong impact on opening or limiting corridors for reform. In sub-chapters 3 and 4, some general issues and specific experiences of three important countries are being explored (Brazil, India and the Russian Federation), including research on the self-image and reasoning of police actors acting in the field. After a short discussion on research regarding the effectiveness of measures to prevent ill-treatment, key results are presented in the concluding chapter. Among other points, the argument is emphasised that especially in more difficult country situations, research should focus on the internal organisation of police institutions (recruitment, training, informal rules and values, etc.). This is crucial to better understand police institutions and thereby develop better strategies for change management. In the face of considerable resistance against changes often met in reform processes, a good knowledge of inside police processes is of paramount importance.