Confidence in the Police and Perceptions of Risk

Abstract

This study tests the hypothesis that there is a reciprocal, negative relationship between perceptions of risk of criminal victimization and confidence in the police, using data from a survey of the residents of Asheville, North Carolina, conducted by the Asheville Police Department. Factor analysis is employed to create composite measures of perceptions of risk and of confidence in the police, and these factors were the dependent variables in multiple regression analyses. Respondents ’ demographics such as age and race were found to be predictors in determining confidence in the police. On the other hand, respondents ’ education, family income, and experience as being a victim or a witness were found to be crucial indicators of risk perceptions. Most importantly, this study’s results showed confidence in the police and risk perceptions were negatively correlated. Such a negative reciprocal relationship suggests that increased confidence in the police may diminish risk perceptions, and vice versa.