Trust in Police and Views of Police Reforms

Trust in American Institutions

Trust in institutions, including the police, is vital for US democracy, but it's currently declining.

Public Opinion on Police

Context

The relationship between the public and the police was highlighted by the killings of Black Americans by police in 2020, notably George Floyd's murder by Derek Chauvin.

Confidence in Police

  • Most Americans have at least some confidence in the police.

    • 26% report having a "great deal" of confidence (November 2020).

Divisions in Views

Race and Ethnicity

  • White adults are more likely to have a great deal of confidence in the police compared to Black and Hispanic adults.

Age

  • Young adults exhibit less trust in the police than middle-aged and older adults.

Party Identification

  • Republicans are more likely to have a great deal of confidence in the police compared to Democrats:

    • Approximately 4 in 10 Republicans.

    • 13% of Democrats.

Personal Experience

Discrimination

  • Experiences of discrimination influence attitudes towards the police.

Unfair Stops by Police

  • Nearly half of Black adults report being unfairly stopped by the police.

    • About two-thirds of Black men report this experience.

  • 19% of Hispanic adults and 9% of White adults report similar experiences.

Support for Police Reforms

Broad Support

  • There is widespread support for various policing proposals:

    • Requiring training in nonviolent alternatives to deadly force.

    • Creating a federal database to track misconduct allegations.

    • Supported by nine in ten Americans.

  • Most Americans support:

    • Giving civilian oversight boards investigative and disciplinary powers.

    • Requiring officers to live in the places they police.

    • Making chokeholds or ankle holds a crime.

Demographic Differences

  • Black Americans and Democrats are more likely to support these reforms, and show that support more intensely.

  • However, there is also considerable support among White Americans and Republicans.

Common Ground and Future

Even with differing views on police, there are areas of common ground among the public.

The implementation of new proposals at the federal, state, and local levels will influence public attitudes moving forward.