Positive Policing: Communicating Fairness

• In Event: Policing Communication(s)

Abstract

The importance of public perceptions of policing has remained an important consideration for police departments in recent years. However, there is also a growing body of evidence which suggests that part of the issue for policing local communities may stem from an ability to effectively communicate with the local populous, and the expectations they hold of the patrol officer and law enforcement more generally. When successful police departments record increased levels of cooperation, when experience does not match expectation or perception, then ‘legitimacy’ is lost (Tankebe, 2013). Yet, open communication on a number of platforms can also be seen to be beneficial to public awareness, experience and perceptions of policing. This paper explores the results of a series of interviews with officials from law enforcement and local populations in the state of Ohio.

Author

• Andy Bain, University of Mount Union