Northeast’s Brazil Police Activity Inner Control: An Analysis of Social Representations of Internal Affairs Division Agents about their Work

Abstract

Based on the analysis of interviews and focus groups conducted in civil and military police internal control departments of the states of Brazilian northeast, this paper discusses how the social representations of the internal affairs division agents and other actors over their work are articulated with problematic issues of police action, such as police lethality and social discrimination. Understanding the social representations as potential drivers of the action of individuals in their social routine, their analysis contributes to a better understand about the internal control of police work. In the case of this article, it assists in what concerns the difficulties with the received complaints, the external and internal influences in the investigations and resolution of these complaints, and the negative stigma surrounding this correctional activity.