The Role of Networks in Policing

Social ties are a defining feature of policing. They enforce norms, carry prestige, reward loyalty, silence dissent, create cohesion, and protect group boundaries. Network analysis maps these ties—from assigned partners to the colleagues officers text and meet for off-duty drinks—and examines how they shape daily actions and law enforcement culture. This review highlights key studies using network approaches to understand policing. By putting relations at the forefront, these studies build on foundational police scholarship and open new ways for investigating policing's social structure. However, despite recent advances in network approaches, current work tends to focus on misconduct and uses of force, leaving unanswered questions about how social ties can promote positive outcomes, such as officer morale, well-being, and recruitment. To advance the field, we call for comprehensive data across multiple agencies and levels to fully capture the central role of networks in policing.