Original scientific paper
Police Stops and Searches – The Case of Bulgaria
Nikolay Yanev
orcid.org/0000-0003-4130-8813
; Sofa University and the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
Georgi Petrunov
orcid.org/0000-0002-1979-8716
; University of World and National Economy
Abstract
The article presents the results of a study on police stops and searches in the Republic of Bulgaria. Initially, the authors reflect on the relevance of the subject of police stops and searches. Despite the fact that this police practice attracts significant public interest both at the national and international levels, it has not been subject to constant research attention in Bulgaria. Existing studies are occasional and date back more than ten years ago. Further, the text takes a comprehensive snapshot of the phenomenon: it summarizes the historical context created by the development of the national police, traces the legal framework regulating police stops and searches in the country, and gives an analysis of the practical implications in the implementation of the formal rules. The application of gender and ethnic profiles by police officers when stopping and searching citizens is also discussed. In conclusion, some perspectives regarding the development of the stop and search practice in the authors' country are also outlined.
The research is based on in-depth interviews with experts on the subject and document analysis. In-depth interviews involved police officers (current and former), investigators, attorneys-at-law, and university lecturers. The analysis included public documents, among them relevant Bulgarian legislation, instructions and rules related to the work of the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Bulgaria, NGOs and media publications.
The research has practical value in terms of understanding police stops and searches, as well as in designing knowledge-based public policies. Its results are suitable for constructing a comparative perspective along with the research conducted in other countries. They also have the potential for further dissemination as a part of an academic curriculum.
Keywords
Bulgaria, national police, police stops, police searches, ethnic profiles.
Hrčak ID:
294772
URI
Publication date:
1.3.2023.
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