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This article reflects on the difficult and ambiguous relationship between Australian Police Commissioners and their political masters. The article looks at South Australia, Queensland and New South Wales and examines the nature of the conflict arising in

This article reflects on the difficult and ambiguous relationship between Australian Police Commissioners and their political masters. The article looks at South Australia, Queensland and New South Wales and examines the nature of the conflict arising in

What do we know about the work of a Police Commissioner? Using the example of Australia, this article provides a perspective of the working environment within which a Police Commissioner operates. The emphasis is on the Commissioner's office and how that office manages a constantly changing diary in an unpredictable and uncertain environment both internally and externally. Through an analysis of a workplace diary spanning five years, interviews and non‐participation observation notes, the article reflects on the working life of an Australian Police Commissioner. It demonstrates that this Police Commissioner divides her time between management duties and representing the Office of Commissioner in the wider community. It also highlights the importance of external leadership and the importance of working with communities and connecting with external constituencies. The article shows that qualitative analysis in the form of interviews and non‐participant observation can provide a stronger interpretation and understanding of quantitative data.

This conversation about the merits of ethnography in police studies began at the 'Ethnography in Policing' panel at the Political Studies Association Conference held in Leeds in 2005. Subsequent correspondence and occasional one‐to‐one meetings led to this symposium.

This article reflects on the difficult and ambiguous relationship between Australian Police Commissioners and their political masters. The article looks at South Australia, Queensland and New South Wales and examines the nature of the conflict arising in these jurisdictions from the ambiguous nature of the roles Police Commissioners and Ministers are expected to play. In exploring the uncertainties and expectations that surround the Police Commissioner–Minister relationship, the article considers what lessons can be drawn from such examples. The article reflects on the political and social ramifications of such altercations and considers ways of managing future conflict.