Public perceptions of police efficacy and image: The “fuzziness” of support for the police

1999 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
John L. Worrall
Keyword(s):  
Public Perceptions ◽  
Perceptions Of Police ◽  
Police Efficacy

Community police academies: Assessing the effect of education on public perceptions of police

2020 ◽  
pp. 0032258X2092693
Author(s):  
Nicholas M Perez ◽  
Trinh Nguyen ◽  
Brenda Vogel
Keyword(s):  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Community Education ◽  
Use Of Force ◽  
Past Research ◽  
Public Perceptions ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Community Police ◽  
Perceptions Of Police ◽  
Attitudes Toward The Police ◽  
Police Practices

Citizens often have misconceptions about law enforcement. This misinformation may contribute to distrust and heightened concerns about force and misconduct. Agencies attempt to address this by promoting procedural justice and providing community education on police practices. Thus far, past research has not been clear on the actual utility of community education on changing public perceptions. Recent funding has allowed one department to host 14 one-day community police academies (CPAs) to educate residents about policing topics to enhance trust and improve public perceptions of the department. The current project analyzes data collected CPA events to determine the effects on citizen knowledge of police procedures and the effect of this knowledge on attitudes toward the police. Results indicate that while CPAs were effective at educating citizens about practices and improving trust in law enforcement, the increased knowledge was not associated with improvements to public trust. The knowledge obtained at the CPA was, however, predictive of lower concerns about use of force. Implications and directions for future research are discussed.

Public Perceptions of Police Performance in Taiwan: A Historical Review (1945-2009)

2011 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terry E. Gingerich ◽  
Doris C. Chu ◽  
Charles K. M. Chang
Keyword(s):  
Historical Review ◽  
Public Perceptions ◽  
Police Performance ◽  
Perceptions Of Police

Police UAV use: institutional realities and public perceptions

2016 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 680-693 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alana Saulnier ◽  
Scott N. Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Public Support ◽  
Public Perceptions ◽  
Descriptive Data ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Police Report ◽  
Content Analyses ◽  
Regional Service ◽  
Perceptions Of Police

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore institutional realities and public perceptions of police use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in Canada in relation to each other, drawing attention to areas of public misunderstanding and concern. Design/methodology/approach Public perceptions data are drawn from a national survey (n=3,045) of UAV use. Institutional realities data are drawn from content analyses of all Special Flight Operation Certificates issued by Transport Canada from 2007 to 2012 and flight logs of a regional service kept from 2011 to 2013. Officer interviews (n=2) also provide qualitative insights on institutional realities from this same regional service. Findings The data reveal disparities between institutional realities and public perceptions. Although federal, provincial and regional services currently use UAVs, awareness of police use of UAVs relative to traditionally piloted aircraft was low. Further, support for police use of UAVs was significantly lower than traditionally piloted craft; but, support also varied considerably across UAV applications, with the greatest opposition tied to tasks for which police do not report using UAVs and the greatest support tied to tasks for which police report using UAVs. Originality/value This research provides previously unknown descriptive data on the institutional realities of police use of UAVs in Canada, positioning that knowledge in relation to public perceptions of police use of the technology. The findings raise concerns over how UAVs may negatively shape police/civilian relations based on procedural justice literature which demonstrates that a lack of public support for the technology may affect the police more broadly.

The Long Shadow of Ferguson: Legitimacy, Legal Cynicism, and Public Perceptions of Police Militarization

2018 ◽  
Vol 65 (2) ◽  
pp. 151-182 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard K. Moule ◽  
Bryanna Hahn Fox ◽  
Megan M. Parry
Keyword(s):  
Least Squares ◽  
Regression Models ◽  
National Sample ◽  
Ordinary Least Squares ◽  
Public Perceptions ◽  
Least Squares Regression ◽  
Legal Socialization ◽  
Legal Cynicism ◽  
Perceptions Of Police ◽  
Influence Perceptions

This study examines public perceptions of police militarization, specifically whether individuals believe police are too militarized, and support for practices associated with militarization. Drawing on concepts found in the legal socialization literature—legitimacy and legal cynicism—this study tests hypotheses regarding whether these constructs influence perceptions of militarization. Using a national sample of 702 American adults, a series of ordinary least squares regression models are used to analyze the relationships between legitimacy, cynicism, and perceptions of police militarization. Results suggested that higher levels of legitimacy reduced beliefs that police are too militarized while also increasing support for practices associated with militarization. Cynicism increased beliefs that the police are too militarized, but had no effect on support for militarization. Perceptions of militarization are thus influenced by legal socialization.

Public Perceptions of Police Agency Fairness and the Willingness to Call Police

2021 ◽  
pp. 027507402110056
Author(s):  
Kelly M. Socia ◽  
Melissa S. Morabito ◽  
Brenda J. Bond ◽  
Elias S. Nader
Keyword(s):  
Public Perceptions ◽  
Police Agency ◽  
Police Departments ◽  
Local Police ◽  
Perceptions Of Fairness ◽  
Perceptions Of Police ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Prior Experiences ◽  
Willingness To Report ◽  
Influence Perceptions

Police leaders strive to improve interactions and practices relating to residents’ perceptions of police fairness and their willingness to report crimes. Research suggests that strengthening community perceptions of police fairness may increase residents’ willingness to contact the police for help. This study uses a nationally representative public opinion survey to examine the factors that influence perceptions of police fairness and the willingness to call police for help. In doing so, we examine a variety of demographic factors, prior experiences with the police, and perceptions about whether the local police agency is racially representative of the community. We find that very few factors influence both perceptions of police fairness and the willingness to call police for help. Specifically, perceptions of police fairness depend on age, education, and political leanings, whereas willingness to call police for help depends on perceptions of police fairness, political leanings, perceptions of police representativeness, and prior proactive police contact. Notably, we found no differences in perceptions of fairness based on respondent race after controlling for other demographics, perceptions, and experiences. These results indicate that symbolic representation in police departments is not enough on its own to support positive perceptions of police fairness and willingness to call the police for help.

scholarly journals If You Lose Your Goat: Public perceptions of police in Indonesia

2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 1036-1046 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharyn Graham Davies ◽  
John Buttle ◽  
Adrianus Meliala
Keyword(s):  
Public Support ◽  
Large Body ◽  
Public Perceptions ◽  
Police Force ◽  
Police Reform ◽  
Police Corruption ◽  
Police Service ◽  
Ethnographic Data ◽  
Perceptions Of Police ◽  
Low Levels

While internationally there is a large body of quantitative work examining public perceptions of police, there is less in the way of qualitative, particularly anthropological, studies (Garriott, 2013). Moreover, as most studies are based in Western democratic nations with a strong rule of law, it is not surprising that findings have shown overall positive public perceptions of police. The case of Indonesia is different. The little quantitative work undertaken on public perceptions of police indicate extremely low levels of public trust and confidence (Muradi, 2014). This present study is thus unique in offering a qualitative analysis of a jurisdiction where public opinion is not favourably disposed towards the police. Drawing on ethnographic data collected between 2008 and 2013, this article critically explores what Indonesians think of their police service, and what they want from their police service in the future. The findings indicate that while people loath police corruption, eradicating corruption is not cited as a top priority. Furthermore, while people express a desire to have a police force that can deter, investigate, and solve crime, these factors do not dominate thinking. Rather, people form judgements of police based primarily on how they, or people they know, are treated by police, sentiments encapsulated in notions of procedural justice policing (Tyler, 1990). It is well-established that public support is essential to effective policing (Murphy & Cherney, 2012), and as such taking into account public desire for a respectful police force above a focus on outcome based policing will significantly aid police reform projects in Indonesia.

The effect of a videotaped arrest on public perceptions of police use of force

1997 ◽  
Vol 25 (5) ◽  
pp. 381-395 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric S. Jefferis ◽  
Robert J. Kaminski ◽  
Stephen Holmes ◽  
Dena E. Hanley
Keyword(s):  
Use Of Force ◽  
Public Perceptions ◽  
Police Use Of Force ◽  
Perceptions Of Police
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