Police Perception of Police-Community Relations

• In Event: Gender, Victimization and Public Policy

Abstract

In the past few years, public perception of police in the United States has reached a new low. A series of high profile cases of alleged police misconduct has driven a wedge between police officers and the communities that they are supposed to serve. Media sensationalism of these cases has contributed to an atmosphere of distrust and has further weakened police-community relations. This study will survey a sample of law enforcement agencies in California to examine police perception of the current state police-community relations in the United States. Public policy implications of survey findings will be discussed.

Author

• Isabel Sanchez, Sonoma State University