VICTIMIZATION, TYPES OF CITIZEN-POLICE CONTACTS, AND ATTITUDES TOWARD THE POLICE

• NCJ Number: 15785
• Journal: Law and Society Review Volume: 8 Issue: 1 Dated: (FALL 1973) Pages: 135-152
• Author(s): P E SMITH; R O HAWKINS
• Date Published: 1973
• Length: 18 pages
• Grant Number(s): 1R01MH14644-01 SSR
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Health, Education, and Welfare
• Corporate Author: Law and Society Assoc
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

OUTLINES REASONS WHY SOME PEOPLE HOLD NEGATIVE ATTITUDES AGAINST THE POLICE AND ASSESSES THE ROLE OF THE POLICE IN CREATING THESE ATTITUDES AS WELL AS EXTRA-POLICE FACTORS WHICH PRODUCE NEGATIVE VIEWS.

Abstract

DATA FOR THIS STUDY WAS COLLECTED FROM A COMMUNITY SURVEY OF CRIMINAL VICTIMIZATION AND ATTITUDES TOWARD THE POLICE IN SEATTLE, WASHINGTON. ATTITUDES TOWARD THE POLICE, 'THE DEPENDENT VARIABLE, WAS DESIGNED TO ASSESS THE RESPONDENTS' VIEWS OF THE FAIRNESS OF THE POLICE AS A GROUP. DATA FROM THE SURVEY INDICATE THAT THE MAJORITY OF CITIZENS HELD POSITIVE VIEWS OF THE POLICE. RACE WAS FOUND TO BE STRONGLY RELATED TO ATTITUDES ABOUT POLICE FAIRNESS, WITH THE MOST NON-WHITES HAVING NEGATIVE ATTITUDES. YOUNGER RESPONDENTS ALSO HELP MORE NEGATIVE ATTITUDES. OTHER FINDINGS SHOW THAT INDIVIDUALS WHO WERE DISSATISFIED WITH POLICE ACTION FOLLOWING VICTIMIZATION AND WITNESSES OF IMPROPER POLICE BEHAVIOR HAD NEGATIVE FEELINGS ABOUT POLICE. THE AUTHOR THEN PRESENTS POLICY IMPLICATIONS FOR POLICE-COMMUNITY RELATIONS PROGRAMS. INCLUDED ARE IMPROVEMENT OF PUBLIC IMAGE AND BETTER HANDLING OF VICTIMS OF CRIME.