Perceptions of Policing: Improving Communication in Local Communities

Abstract

Public perceptions of policing have provided a good deal of concern in recent years. However, there is also a growing body of evidence that suggests that part of the issue for policing local communities may stem from an ability to communicate effectively with the local populace. This article discusses the role of public perception and identifies a number of key factors implicit to the experience of policing. These include fairness in policing, media representation and the use of new (social) media in order to recognise and support the changing demographic in a local population. Among our conclusions, we suggest that further investment is needed in new media in order to provide for a positive front-facing service, aimed at engaging younger — often at-risk — populations, that become the future consumers of service.

Social Media and Community Policing Implementation in South Eastern Europe: A Question of Trust

“…Due to the fact that they can not only be used to disseminate information but also to initiate both interaction and dialogue that might lead to real cooperation, they seem to be an innovative way to approach COP programmes. Our results are consistent with remarks made by Bain et al (2014) on the beneficial role which SM can play in building and maintaining a positive image of the police. This role can be pivotal especially in post-communist societies which often need to deal with the insufficient level of police legitimacy.…”

Broadening campus threat assessment beyond mass shootings

“…Community policing efforts have increased stakeholders' non-crisis interactions with officers (e.g., foot patrol), exhibited collaborative approaches to increasing safety (i.e., through print media, Internet displays, and community meetings), and enhanced prosocial partnerships between community agencies, authority figures, and stakeholders (Bain, Robinson, & Conser, 2014;Griffith et al, 2004;Schnebly, 2008). Community policing includes fair and legitimate processes that broadly assist victims and struggling perpetrators (Mazerolle, Antrobus, Bennett, & Tyler, 2013;Tarling & Morris, 2010;Tyler, Sherman, Strang, Barnes, & Woods, 2007).…”

An Exploratory Assessment of Community-Oriented Policing Implementation, Social Disorganization and Crime in America

“…It is important to understand, however, that community-oriented policing does not flow in one direction-police to community-but instead works best when there is a flow between the two (Bain et al 2014). To that point, a proactive style of policing is more likely to garner positive public perceptions of police and allow for COP initiatives to function more effectively (Wentz and Schlimgen 2012).…”

“…To that point, a proactive style of policing is more likely to garner positive public perceptions of police and allow for COP initiatives to function more effectively (Wentz and Schlimgen 2012). Positive encounters with police should then theoretically increase community confidence in police work and relationships in which members are willing to approach officers with their local problems (Bain et al 2014). This in turn may lead to higher crime reporting rates in communities in which COP is implemented properly.…”

“…With this in mind, the central focus of police departments implementing COP should be on improving social controls through the increase of police legitimacy (i.e., increase faith in police) and the decrease in fear of crime. If a disjuncture exists between community members and local police, negative perceptions towards police could persist despite their best efforts (Bain et al 2014). This gap can be filled if opportunities are provided for communities to be actively involved in implementing community-oriented, strategies rather than merely being informed of the types of community policing initiatives that exist (Kerley and Benson 2000).…”