Surveys of Citizen Attitudes

• NCJ Number: 169701
• Journal: Telemasp Bulletin Volume: 2 Issue: 8 Dated: (November 1995) Pages: complete issue
• Author(s): T Pitaneelaboot
• Date Published: 1995
• Length: 7 pages
• Corporate Author: Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This overview of the methodology and use of surveys of citizen attitudes toward police reviews the elements of sampling procedures, sample size, and data collection; a review of Texas law enforcement agency use of citizen surveys is also included.

Abstract

Premised on an ideology that policy recommendations and decisions should be informed by scientific data and theory (Skogan 1975), the citizen survey is used to measure both generic public attitudes toward the police and to provide agencies with information to use in formulating policy recommendations and decisions. In discussing the elements of survey methodology, the bulletin focuses on sampling techniques; probability sampling (simple random sampling, stratified sampling, cluster sampling, and multistage sampling); nonprobability sampling (convenience sampling, accidental sampling, purposive sampling, snowball sampling, and systematic sampling); sample size; and data collection (mail surveys, telephone surveys, and in-person interviews). Thirty-seven Texas agencies responded to a query about their use of citizen surveys. Of those responding, almost all used surveys to measure citizen attitudes toward generic police performance and neighborhood priorities. Utility bill lists were the most popular technique used for a sampling frame, and simple random sampling was most often used as a sampling technique. A mail survey was the most often used data collection device. 5 figures, 3 tables, and 8 references