A sample of 500 Hispanics throughout the State were surveyed on their experiences and perceived relationships with three levels of police agencies: local (municipal) police, sheriff's officers, and the State Department of Public Safety. The analysis focused on overall ratings, victim-related data, and data from individuals who had any form of contact with the police. Results revealed that any form of contact with the police appeared to lower the rating of police performance. This result appeared to be a product of the interaction between high public expectations and qualitatively poor police performance. Findings also indicated that an increase in fear of crime reduced evaluations of local police and that victimization reduced the evaluation of local police, the county sheriff, and the Department of Public Safety. Hispanics also perceived that police officers had a bad attitude, that the police need to patrol and investigate more, that response time should improve, and that less discrimination should occur against Hispanics. Findings appeared to be influenced largely by ineffective symbolic and linguistic communication and by cultural conflict. Tables, notes, and 45 references (Author abstract modified)