ABSTRACT
Whenever a citizen interacts with another citizen, each citizen has to interpret the other’s behaviour. A smile or the offer of an outstretched hand is only understandable as a form of greeting between citizens if they know and understand the cultural code. Within any interaction there exists a process of interpreting the meanings attached to behaviour. Not only do those involved in the interaction interpret the behaviour of others, they also make assumptions about the behaviour of others. The process of interpreting behaviour and making assumptions about behaviour also occurs when citizens are interacting with the police.
