Engaging Students to Survey NYC Residents on Perceptions of Public Safety and Law Enforcement

• In Event: Poster Session II

Abstract

This poster describes the process of recruiting, selecting, and training a research team of students to administer surveys of NYC residents on law enforcement in New York City (NYC). As part of an evaluation of police officer body-worn cameras in NYC, and in cooperation with the federal monitor overseeing reforms to NYPD, CUNY Institute for State and Local Governance (ISLG) conducted in-person surveys of NYC residents on neighborhood safety, perceptions of law enforcement, and interactions with law enforcement. To carry out this work, CUNY ISLG recruited, selected, and trained students enrolled in CUNY degree programs to administer the surveys. Students first applied for the project, and a portion of those participated in a group interview to assess their personality/affect, cooperation, and ability to be objective. Thirty-nine (39) selected students then participated in a three-hour session covering the project background, research ethics, the study protocol, and tips for safe and effective fieldwork. Finally, two-person student teams were assigned to administer more than 1,100 surveys in 56 total sites in 10 NYPD precincts. All students received stipends for their participation. Several lessons were learned pertaining to attributes of effective students; managing the team of students, including their schedules; and ensuring students’ safety.

Authors

• Neal A Palmer, CUNY ISLG

• Reagan Daly, CUNY ISLG