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Satisfaction with the Police: Perceptions and Related Variables from an Urban Community Sample

Author

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  • Ana Isabel Sani

    (Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, University of Fernando Pessoa (UFP), Praça 9 de Abril, 349, 4249-004 Porto, Portugal
    Observatory Permanent Violence and Crime (OPVC), University of Fernando Pessoa (UFP), 4249-004 Porto, Portugal
    Research Center on Child Studies (CIEC), University of Minho (UM), 4710-057 Braga, Portugal)

  • Vanessa Azevedo

    (Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, University of Fernando Pessoa (UFP), Praça 9 de Abril, 349, 4249-004 Porto, Portugal
    Observatory Permanent Violence and Crime (OPVC), University of Fernando Pessoa (UFP), 4249-004 Porto, Portugal)

  • Daniela Paulo

    (Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, University of Fernando Pessoa (UFP), Praça 9 de Abril, 349, 4249-004 Porto, Portugal)

  • Mariana Magalhães

    (Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, University of Fernando Pessoa (UFP), Praça 9 de Abril, 349, 4249-004 Porto, Portugal)

  • Laura M. Nunes

    (Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, University of Fernando Pessoa (UFP), Praça 9 de Abril, 349, 4249-004 Porto, Portugal
    Observatory Permanent Violence and Crime (OPVC), University of Fernando Pessoa (UFP), 4249-004 Porto, Portugal
    Research Centre for Justice and Governance (JusGov), University of Minho (UM), 4710-057 Braga, Portugal)

Abstract

This quantitative, correlational, and transversal study was performed with a sample of 482 participants from an urban community at the Historic Centre of Porto (HCP). Participants answered to an enquiry designed to collect information about (dis)satisfaction with the police and its performance, with sociodemographic, victimisation, criminal, environmental, social control, and community variables as potential predictors. Findings revealed that the community was mainly satisfied with the police in its efforts to guarantee security, and there was no relationship between those variables, and sociodemographic and some community variables (e.g., years at the HCP, willingness to collaborate in security measures, and strength of attachment to HCP). On the other hand, there were relationships of (dis)satisfaction with the police and being the victim of crime, and some criminal and environmental variables (e.g., perception of increased criminality, conditions promoting crime, and incivilities). Regression analyses found that the perception of increased criminality and the need to adopt improvement measures were significant predictors of dissatisfaction with the police. This study promotes further discussion on factors that can be improved to increase satisfaction with the police and the connection of community–institutions to promote community security.

Suggested Citation

  • Ana Isabel Sani & Vanessa Azevedo & Daniela Paulo & Mariana Magalhães & Laura M. Nunes, 2022. "Satisfaction with the Police: Perceptions and Related Variables from an Urban Community Sample," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-14, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jscscx:v:11:y:2022:i:2:p:79-:d:750541
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Austin, D. Mark & Furr, L. Allen & Spine, Michael, 2002. "The effects of neighborhood conditions on perceptions of safety," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 30(5), pages 417-427.
    2. Jackson, Jonathan & Pooler, Tia & Hohl, Katrin & Kuha, Jouni & Bradford, Ben & Hough, Mike, 2011. "Trust in justice: topline results from round 5 of the European Social Survey," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 41680, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    3. Bolger, Michelle A. & Lytle, Daniel J. & Bolger, P. Colin, 2021. "What matters in citizen satisfaction with police: A meta-analysis," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 72(C).
    4. D. Carro & S. Valera & T. Vidal, 2010. "Perceived insecurity in the public space: personal, social and environmental variables," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 44(2), pages 303-314, February.
    5. Wells, William, 2007. "Type of contact and evaluations of police officers: The effects of procedural justice across three types of police-citizen contacts," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 35(6), pages 612-621, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Michael Mathura, 2022. "Exploring Citizens Perception of the Police Role and Function in a Post-Colonial Nation," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-15, October.

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