NCJ Number
79669
Date Published
1978
Length
13 pages
Annotation
Studies on attitudes toward the police are classified.
Abstract
Research on the police image is rare in Europe, but common in the United States. Instruments most commonly used to gather information are opinion polls, often with large samples; opinion scales; and individual interviews. Techniques for analysis vary from simple counting and calculation of percentages to multifactorial analysis. General public opinion surveys seek opinions on the institution and responsibilities of the police, the status of the police officers. In general, the public recognizes the usefulness of the police institution but complains that the police are used to reinforce political power and that police are ineffective in preventing crimes and making arrests. The public also tends to suspect the police of arbitrariness in direct public-police contacts. Studies on the attitudes of juveniles toward police indicate that juveniles, especially in low socioeconomic groups, have a much more negative view of police than adults. The image of the police held by particular groups depends on the respondents' experiences and involvement in delinquence. Surveys on police intervention in juvenile cases suggest that interventions are badly conducted and contribute to juvenile socialization problems. A number of reports have explored the image of the police projected by the mass media. They find that the media emphasis is placed on sensationalism, force, and repression. Studies on police attitudes toward particular groups are rare, but useful for discerning police criteria for discretionary actions. Finally, studies of police attitudes toward the police organization underline the reluctance of officers to engage in probing analysis of their profession.