NCJ Number
208418
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 71 Issue: 12 Dated: December 2004 Pages: 26-28,30
Date Published
December 2004
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article presents results from a federally funded study that examined public opinion in three areas of police reform: racial diversification, increased accountability, and community policing and sensitivity.
Abstract
The question of what the public wants to see change in police practices has seldom been investigated. However, the examination of public preferences is important. The information gained is useful to practitioners in their attempts to improve police-citizen relations. In 2002, a nationwide poll of a sample of Americans was conducted and consisted of 1,792 adults residing in metropolitan areas of at least 100,000 persons. The study included large samples of African-American and Hispanic citizens which provided an examination of racial-ethnic differences regarding policing. Three types of major innovations or reform in policing were examined: (1) racial diversification in police departments; (2) increased accountability in both monitoring and sanctions; and (3) changes designed to increase police responsiveness and sensitivity to civilians. Results indicated that African-Americans and Hispanics were more inclined than Whites to endorse change or reform. Overall, popular support for police reforms was shown. However, this support was not monolithic. Support varied by the particular policy in question and, for some policies, by racial-ethnic group.