Police reform and the problem of trust

Abstract

Police reform is widely undertaken in developing and post-authoritarian countries. The starting point for analysis of this phenomenon, it is suggested, is the absence of public trust in police that characterizes police-community relations in these countries. Without public trust in police, ‘policing by consent’ is difficult or impossible and public safety suffers. The nature of trust is examined in general terms and related to the problem of trust in governance. Then, the problematic nature of trust of the police is considered; structural features as well as performance aspects are invoked to explain distrust of police. In the penultimate section, the question of how to build trustworthy police forces is examined in the light of what has been learnt about the difficulties of maintaining or establishing trust in police. Process as well as substantive improvements each play a role here. In addition to building trust, ways of institutionalizing distrust are needed. The article concludes by pointing to some inherent limits or constraints upon trust-building, including the impact of the wider environment in which policing occurs, and the need to trust the tools we use for building trust.

Is the Public Willing to Help the Nigerian Police During the Boko Haram Crisis? A Look at Moderating Factors

“…This finding is in line with previous findings regarding the association between willingness to help the police and perceptions of police effectiveness (Tankebe, 2009), although it is surprising as whilst resident location was not significantly associated with perceptions of effectiveness alone, there was a trend with those in the north being less willing to report. This may reflect that those in the north had more contact with the police (Smith et al, 1991;Worrall, 1999) throughout the BH crises, hence they may mistrust them (Alemika, 1988, Carter andMarenin, 1977;Goldsmith, 2005;Jemibewon, 2000;Zumve, 2012). However, the findings do not directly support the finding that those who reside in high-crime neighbourhoods (i.e.…”

“…The limited research that has been conducted has been underpowered, probably due to participants being unwilling to voice options on BH and security forces (Bagheri, 2012). Critically, the relationship between the Nigeria Police and the public is one underpinned by fear and mistrust (Alemika, 1988, Carter andMarenin, 1977;Goldsmith, 2005;Jemibewon, 2000;Zumve, 2012) and, without an improvement of public confidence in the security forces, the likelihood of reaching an end to the security crisis is limited. This research is aimed at investigating public willingness to help the police during the BH crisis.…”

Servir e proteger: determinantes da avaliação pública sobre a qualidade do trabalho das Polícias Militares no Brasil

“…Ainda que de modo bastante esquemático, é possível dividir os estudos que tratam da avaliação pública das forças policiais em dois grandes campos: de um lado, aqueles que tratam das percepções e avaliações sobre o desempenho e a qualidade da atuação dos órgãos de segurança; de outro, pesquisas que discutem as diversas dimensões associadas à confiança que a população deposita nestas instituições (Bayley & Skolnick, 2001;Brown & Benedict, 2002;Goldsmith, 2005;Frank et alii, 2005;Larsen & Blair, 2009). Além disso, muitos são, obviamente, os estudos que transitam entre as duas vertentes, avaliando em que medida avaliações de desempenho e qualidade da atuação das polícias relacionam-se com diferentes níveis de confiança nas organizações (Lopes, 2010;Oliveira Júnior, 2011;Silva & Beato, 2013).…”

Confiança na polícia em Minas Gerais: o efeito da percepção de eficiência e do contato individual

“…Tal importância passa pelo favorecimento à cooperação dos cidadãos com a instituição, realização de registros de ocorrências criminais, chegando a um ciclo positivo em que a confiança favorece a eficiência policial que, por sua vez, corrobora a confiança (BROWN & BENEDICT, 2002;CAO, 2011;GOLDSMITH, 2005;HERRMANN et al, 2011;HURST et al, 2000;KÄÄRIÄINEN, 2008;KÄÄRIÄINEN & SIRÉN, 2011;MAGALHÃES, 2003;MOISÉS, 2005;MYHILL & BEAK, 2008;OLIVEIRA, 2011;PAIXÃO & BEATO, 1997;ROBERTS, 2007;SKOGAN, 1984;TANKEBE, 2010;TYLER & WAKSLAK, 2004;TYLER & FAGAN, 2008;WIATROWSKI & GOLDSTONE, 2010).…”