PERCEPTIONS OF ORGANIZATIONAL JUSTICE AMONG THAI POLICE OFFICERS: IN-DEPTH INTERVIEWS WITH FORMER POLICE OFFICERS

Abstract

The objectives of this research article were: 1. To examine the experiences of Thai police officers regarding their perceptions of organizational justice; 2. To analyze the impact of such perceptions on officers’ attitudes and behaviours; and 3. To propose recommendations for improving justice-related processes within the police organization. Conducted by a qualitative phenomenological approach, 30 key informants were purposefully selected and snowball method was used comprising former police officers who had held the ranks of Inspector, Deputy Superintendent, and Superintendent, from ten police bureaus across Thailand. Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews using open-ended questions, and were analysed thematically based on four-dimensional framework of organizational justice.

The findings indicated that: 1. Participants’ experiences reflected perceived injustice across four dimensions; unfair promotion and transferring processes, biased treatment by supervisors, lack of transparent communication, and disrespectful interpersonal relations; 2. These perceptions led to burnout, distrust in the organization, passive or defiant behaviors, and psychological distress; and 3. Proposed improvements included enhancing transparency in promotion systems, strengthening the soft skills of supervisors, and developing equitable internal communication mechanisms. The study contributed to new empirical knowledge by presenting a conceptual model that illustrated the mechanisms of perceived injustice within the Thai police bureaucracy, linking them to individual motivation and behavioural responses. This model could inform future organizational reform efforts tailored to the Thai cultural and institutional context.