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Perceptions of Police and Policing: A Review of Public and Police Surveys

NCJ Number
165550
Author(s)
N Boni
Date Published
1995
Length
75 pages
Annotation
This report summarizes the findings of public and police attitude surveys conducted in Australia and New Zealand, so as to examine the common areas covered by the surveys and similarities in the results obtained, particularly with reference to police performance and effectiveness as well as the components of the police role.
Abstract
Each Australian police jurisdiction has conducted at least one survey of the community in the last 5 years to ascertain public perceptions of police and policing. Each survey is unique in terms of its objectives, context, sampling procedure, response rate, and method of administration. Despite such differences, the topics examined have been similar. An overview presents the major findings of the community attitude surveys conducted in Australia and New Zealand in the last 5 years as they relate to the following issues: satisfaction, effectiveness and efficiency, professionalism, crime perceptions and concerns, police-community relations, police roles, other performance measures, and suggested improvements. Compared to the numerous public attitude surveys, only four police attitude surveys have been conducted in Australia and New Zealand in the last 5 years. Similar topics have been addressed in these surveys, and there is some overlap between the topics covered in the public and police attitude surveys. The overview of the police surveys considers the issues of satisfaction, effectiveness and efficiency, professionalism, crime perceptions and concerns, police-community relations, police roles, police-management relations, and barriers to service delivery. 17 tables, 21 references, and appended details on findings and methodology from each of the surveys examined

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