Public perceptions of police.

Policing and Society: Public Perceptions of Police - The Evidence

HOW DO WE LIKE TO LEARN?

The diverse learning preferences outlined include:

  • Practicals
  • Quizzes
  • Visual aids
  • Padlet
  • 1 to 1 chats
  • Short videos
  • Parlay discussions
  • Personal experience stories
  • Structured assignment guidance
  • Guest speakers
  • Group discussions

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

PART 1
  • Identify and assess statistical perceptions of the police
PART 2
  • Examine key public events that shape perception

WHAT DID YOU THINK?

  • Engage the audience to consider their personal experiences and opinions regarding the police.

WHO ACTUALLY KNOWS A COPPER?

Questions posed:
  • Are there any special constables or known officers within the audience’s circle?
  • What characteristics do these individuals exhibit in terms of personality, education, and integrity?

RESULTS SUMMARY

  • Known officers: 13 respondents
    • Negative perception: 1 (8%)
    • Positive perception: 12 (92%)
  • Unfamiliar with officers: 29 respondents
    • Mainly positive perception: 9 (31%)
    • Negative perception: 3 (10%)
    • Positive perception: 17 (59%)

STATISTICAL INSIGHTS INTO PERCEPTIONS

Learning objectives
  • Assess what statistics can reveal about society’s perceptions of the police.
  • Understand student perceptions of the police compared to national data.
What can statistics tell us?
  • Statistics provide initial insights into the relationship between the police and society.
  • Utilize data from the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW), which measures public experiences and attitudes towards the police, crime prevalence, and experiences of crime victims.
Important considerations when analyzing statistics
  • Data collection is often aimed at specific purposes; for instance, BMG Research was commissioned by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) to assess public perception of policing effectiveness in England and Wales (2018).
  • Sample methodology aims for representation but questions arise regarding how effectiveness and efficiency are measured. Example question: "Over the past 12 months, do you think the service provided by your local police force has improved, worsened, or remained the same?" What benchmarks are in place for assessment?

GENERAL POPULATION’S THOUGHTS ON POLICING

Findings from CSEW 2024
  • Percentage of respondents rating local police as doing a good/excellent job across different ethnic backgrounds:
    • White: 48%
    • English/Welsh/Scottish/Northern Irish/British: 46%
    • Irish: 43%
    • Gypsy or Irish Traveller: [u]
    • Any other white background: 61%
    • Mixed/Multiple: 48%
    • White and Black Caribbean: 35%
    • White and Black African: 66%
    • White and Asian: 57%
    • Any other Mixed/Multiple ethnic background: 39%
    • Asian/Asian British: 55%
    • Indian: 57%
    • Pakistani: 46%
    • Bangladeshi: 58%
    • Chinese: 57%
    • Any other Asian background: 61%
    • Black/African/Caribbean/Black British: 55%
    • African: 59%
    • Caribbean: 42%
    • Any other Black/African/Caribbean background: 56%
    • Other ethnic group: 54%
    • Arab: 62%
    • Any other ethnic group: 50%
    • Born in the UK: 46%
    • Not born in the UK: 60%
Attitudes toward local police force
  • Figure 3 shows how individuals speak about their local police:
    • Speak highly without being asked: 9%
    • Speak highly if asked: 31%
    • Mixed views: 23%
    • Critical if asked: 12%
    • Critical without being asked: 5%
    • No views: 16%
    • Don't know: 3%
Factors contributing to satisfaction with local police
  • Perceptions from respondents indicating reasons for satisfaction include:
    • The police being visible and effective in the community.
    • Respondents noted the professionalism, dedication, and hard work of specific officers.
    • Timely and adequate responses to incidents were appreciated.
    • Declining crime rates were cited as contributing to feelings of safety and a recommendation to call the police in emergencies.
Reasons for dissatisfaction with local police
  • Figure 5 identifies various factors leading to dissatisfaction:
    • Police inaction in cases of reported disturbances.
    • Minimal or non-existent police presence in neighborhoods.
    • Inadequate response times leading to frustration.
    • Experiences of unfair treatment or negative personal encounters.
    • Mention of resource shortages impacting police effectiveness.
Stop and Search Survey Findings
  • Figure 28 illustrates public sentiment on the effectiveness of Stop and Search in crime prevention:
    • Strongly agree: 15%
    • Tend to agree: 4%
    • Neither agree nor disagree: 10%
    • Tend to disagree: 10%
    • Strongly disagree: 33%
    • Don't know: 21%
Ethical considerations about survey value
  • Questions raised regarding the validity and utility of public perception surveys concerning police efficacy.
  • Importance of critically evaluating whether public opinion on policing should inform policy and practice given its potential to reflect misunderstandings.

STUDY CASES: EVENTS SHAPING PERCEPTION

Study 1 – Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) in Southampton
  • Analysis of offender and victim profiles in relation to public perceptions and police actions concerning ASB incidents.
Study 2 – The Chris Kaba Case
  • Incident overview: Chris Kaba was shot by police in 2022 resulting in high-profile scrutiny; an officer charged with murder but acquitted.
  • Press narratives pose conflicting questions regarding police motivations and implications on public trust.
Study 3 – Graham Linehan Arrest
  • Investigated opinions when Graham Linehan, a writer with controversial views, was arrested.
  • Deliberation about police role in moderating public discourse and impacts on societal divisions.
Study 4 – Southport Riots
  • Riots prompted by a tragic event involving the deaths of children and the resulting media framing of one individual as an immigrant, impacting public sentiment on policing strategies.
Personal Events and Perceptions
  • Engage students to reflect on how personal experiences and media narratives shape their views about police.

LEARNING LOG AND REFLECTIONS

Learning Log Purpose
  • A tool for tracking learning progression encompassing reflections on various developmental activities and sources of information including lectures, readings, and discussions.
Importance of Learning Logs
  • Aids in retention and understanding of intricate concepts while relating experiences with broader societal issues stemming from lectures or external readings.
Recommendations for Learning Log Format
  • Using tables to categorize learning experiences or adapting content into mind maps to visualize connections among concepts.

PERCEPTIONS VERSUS REALITY

Summary of Insights
  • Discuss the importance of perception in comparing to actual safety and how marketing may influence policing practices.
  • Engagement about the balance of perception versus reality in context to police effectiveness and public relations.
Future Questions and Considerations
  • Invite students to consider their own opinions about legitimacy in policing and how current events may have shaped their perceptions or biases.

CONCLUDING REMARKS

Questions and reflections on how the session aligns with coursework and forthcoming essay topics; emphasizing the continual exploration of policing dynamics in society.