NCJ Number
175452
Journal
Policing Volume: 20 Issue: 4 Dated: 1997 Pages: 655-664
Date Published
1997
Length
10 pages
Annotation
Based on primary data from a mail survey of respondents in a large midwestern county of the United States, this study examined correlates and effects of residential location on perceived satisfaction with the police.
Abstract
Data were collected using a questionnaire mailed to 6,000 residents; 2,433 responded for a response rate of 42.1 percent. Individual and residential factors that differentiated the level of perceived satisfaction with the police were assessed. Specifically, the study explored whether race and residential location interacted in their effects on perceived satisfaction with the police. Effects of other predictors such as prior victimization, age, and gender were also investigated. Results confirmed those who were previously victimized maintained less favorable attitudes toward the police. Those aged 60 years and older were more satisfied with the police than younger age groups. Gender was not significant in determining perceived satisfaction with the police. The most important study predictor was race-residential location. Where individuals lived affected their overall attitudes toward the police. White suburbanites tended to be more satisfied with the police than both whites and blacks who lived in the central city. Similarly, black suburbanites were more satisfied with the police than both white and black urban residents. Residential location rather than race appeared to affect perceptions of police performance. 26 references and 4 tables