Assessing the effects of local stop and search rates on community confidence in the police in London, England

• In Event: The Impact and Regulation of Police Stops: An International Perspective

Abstract

Police stop-and-search in the UK has been a source of strong community resentment, particularly among members of minority communities, who are disproportionately at its receiving end. Seen through the lens of procedural justice, this is not a great surprise. People stopped often find the experience intrusive and humiliating, and may not receive an adequate explanation for their inconvenience. Furthermore, as people who are stopped talk with family and friends, the negative police perceptions engendered by stop and search encounters have the potential to diffuse into the wider community. Meanwhile, it is conceivable that stop and search may also have some positive effects on community opinions of the police, at least for some. For example, it may provide a direct reassurance effect, or it may contribute to feelings of safety by reducing signs of visible disorder. The current study assesses the effects of stop and search on overall community perception for the police in each of 32 police force areas in London. In doing so, it relies on a longitudinal analysis, in which stop and search rates are compared through time with measures of public opinion, gathered as part of an ongoing tracking program.

Authors

• Amanda D'Souza, Rutgers University

• Joel Miller, Rutgers University