NCJ Number
232657
Date Published
August 2010
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This study examined public perception of the Israel police force.
Abstract
Results of the study show that compared to 2007, the public's perception of the Israel police force has tended to be more positive. The positive aspects of the image of the police force included professionalism, availability to serve the citizen, non-exaggerated use of force, and efficiency. The positive aspects of the image of the policeman included respectable appearance, seriousness, abiding by the law, professionalism, courteousness, and equal treatment of citizens. Data for this study came from interviews with 1,507 Israeli citizens regarding their perceptions of, their attitudes towards, and their expectations of the Israel police force. Findings indicate that young persons, women, less educated citizens, citizens with more traditional and religious views, those who did not have contact with the police in the past year, and those from the Southern, Northern, and Central districts tended to evaluate the police in a more positive way, compared to older citizens, men, those with a higher level of education, secular citizens, those who had contact with the police, and those citizens located in Judea and Samaria, Tel Aviv, and Jerusalem districts. The study looked at the efficiency of the police and its functioning, the public's willingness to cooperate with the police, the public's attitude towards the presence of the police on the streets and in public places, and the public's feeling of personal security and social strength.