The possibility of applying the homo agens-institutionalist model in studies on Police

Abstract

The article focuses on the possibilities of applying, embedded in the neo-institutional perspec-tive, the homo agens-institutionalist model in research on the police and policemen. The article presents the assumptions of the model presented by Piotr Chmielewski. The homo agens-institu-tionalist model allows for the analysis of decisions and actions of police officers as members of an organization operating within a specific institutional order. It takes into account the limitations that prevent an officer from making decisions and actions in a perfectly rational manner as assumed by the homo oeconomicus model. The model indicates the limitations resulting from the subjective perception of reality, limited knowledge and limited ability to process information coming from outside, emotions that each person feels and his opportunism. In addition, it indicates that each person is an individual acting intentionally and striving for rationality. At the same time, it functions in many organizations and institutions that affect it. The use of this model allows multi-dimensional analysis at all levels ― macro-, meso- and micro-social. It allows you to include institutions, organ-izations and individual actors.