Trust in the Police in Iceland: The Impact of Cohorts

• In Event: POLWG Panel 16. Evaluating trust and confidence in policing amongst different populations and through different initiatives.

Abstract

Trust in the police is a critical component of effective policing and community safety. However, recent years have seen fluctuations in public confidence, influenced by various societal factors. This study explores the dynamics of public trust in the police in Iceland, with a particular focus on how trust varies across different cohorts. It highlights that individuals belonging to younger cohorts often exhibit lower levels of trust in the police compared to individuals belonging to older cohorts. By analyzing survey data from Iceland, the research provides a comprehensive understanding of how cohort on the one hand and age on the other influence changes in trust in the police. The study investigates whether changes in trust among younger cohorts are driving overall changes in public trust in the police.

Author

• Rannveig Þórisdóttir, National Police Commissioner of Iceland