Police and Community: The Impact of Community Factors

• In Event: Police and Community: The View from Both Directions

Abstract

Many surveys have examined police officers’ views of the communities they serve and community-oriented policing initiatives. These have been seen as a function of officers’ personal backgrounds, their role in the organization, and their social and political attitudes. Taking an alternative vantage point, this study examines the impact of community factors on officers’ views and preferences. The community factors considered here include crime, concentrated poverty and other features of the cities involved in the study. They have a direct effect on officer’s views and policy preferences, but they are most influential in interaction with their roles, personal backgrounds and experiences. The study is based on the findings of a 101-agency survey of officers conducted under the auspices of the National Police Research Platform.

Author

• Wesley G. Skogan, Northwestern University