The countries (20) participated in the International Crime Victim Survey (1996-97). Citizens ranked low on reporting crime to the police and the majority of them still exhibited dissatisfaction with police treatment once the incident was reported as well as with police performance in controlling/preventing crime. Citizens' satisfaction with the police was lowest in countries in transition and Latin America. Corruption in public administration, including the police, was widespread in countries in transition, and the levels of citizens' satisfaction with police were negatively affected by police involvement in corruption. Thus, the two very important and most powerful indicators of changes in terms of confidence building between citizens and the police in countries in transition (satisfaction with police and reporting to police) did not provide a satisfactory picture. In terms of crime prevention and control, public safety was still very much police business, and citizens in countries in transition expected more police presence and more police efficiency, as a minimum. The article suggests that the police should concentrate on improving outcomes of the organization: lowering the victimization rate, improving the perceived safety and the level of safety problems experienced by the population, preventing public order problems, and improving confidence in the police. Tables, references, notes