Perceptions of police among adolescents in Istanbul

Abstract

During the past three decades there has been increasing interest in the perception of police among adolescents. Despite their being disproportionately subjected to police contact and arrest, little is known about adolescents' perception of police. The current study, using data collected through a questionnaire administered to a school-based sample of 1789 adolescents, examined the relationship between adolescents' police perception and police contact, neighbourhood safety and demographic characteristics. The findings generally suggest that adolescents hold positive views toward the police.