https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5364-9925
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ABSTRACT
We explore the conditions under which informal collaborations between street-level bureaucrats (SLBs) emerge and the motivations for them. From our analysis of 68 interviews with law enforcement officers from 26 law enforcement agencies in a large metropolitan area in Texas, we identified four themes, representing a mix of altruistic and self-interest considerations: 1) ineffective formal collaboration practices, 2) personal and institutional trust, 3) the balance of power between the collaborators, and 4) a supportive management. We contribute to the literature by demonstrating how informal ‘bottom-up’ practices allow SLBs to overcome the constraining ‘jurisdictional divide’ and achieve better work outcomes.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Galia Cohen
Galia Cohen is department head and assistant professor in the Department of Public Administration at Tarleton State University, Texas. She is also law enforcement instructor conducting professional development workshops for law enforcement professionals in police management schools across the U.S. Her research focuses on public safety collaboration, police training and police administration.
Nissim Cohen
Nissim Cohen is head of the Center for Public Management and Policy at the University of Haifa in Israel. His research interests include interactions between politicians and bureaucrats, public budgeting, street-level bureaucracy, policy entrepreneurship, and social welfare and health policies. email: nissimcohen@poli.haifa.ac.i. email: nissimcohen@poli.haifa.ac.il