NCJ Number
165843
Journal
American Journal of Police Volume: 15 Issue: 1 Dated: (1996) Pages: 3-22
Date Published
1996
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This study found that two contextual variables (race and community setting) were strongly related to confidence in the police, even with a range of factors controlled.
Abstract
Data were drawn from a larger study of crime prevention issues in the urban environment of Cincinnati, Ohio. Questionnaires were mailed to 1,000 randomly selected residents of Cincinnati in 1992. The study sample had a mean age of 47.2 years, was 56.7 percent female, was 79.3 percent white, and had a mean family income of $35,259. Confidence in the police was measured by a five-item scale which assessed whether respondents believed police officers were responsive, cared about neighborhood safety, maintained order, and were able to protect residents against crime. Independent study variables included age, gender, education, household income, and race. Although initial analysis revealed a significant relationship between race and confidence in the police, the introduction of contextual factors eliminated this relationship. The community setting was the most important determinant of confidence in the police. Specifically, citizen perceptions of disorder exerted the strongest impact on confidence. Citizens held the police at least partially responsible for disorder. The authors conclude that public attitudes toward the police may not be regulated by a person's race per se but rather by the social context in which that person is situated. Appendixes provides a summary of measures used in the study and a correlation matrix of study variables. 60 references, 3 notes, and 2 tables