Integrity programme Data pack on public trust and confidence in the police David Brown and Paul Quinton College of Policing Limited
Scope of the data pack This data pack provides an overview of the published national survey evidence on public trust and confidence in the police As there are few sources specifically exploring public perceptions of police wrongdoing, the pack inevitably focuses on general public trust and confidence in policing The pack draws on the following data sources: Crime Survey of England and Wales (discussed here) IPCC public survey (discussed here) Standards in Public Life survey (discussed here) HMIC public survey (discussed here) The survey methods are briefly discussed at the start of each section The pack does not examine other research on the subject References and links to the source material have been included at the end of the pack data (here) 2
Overall findings Public confidence in their local police has seen a sustained increase from 47% to 62% between 3/4 and 11/12 Victim satisfaction has improved by 12 percentage points between 7/8 and 11/12 from 59% to 71% Public perceptions of police fairness which are crucial for police legitimacy have remained largely stable over this period Compared to other professions, a relatively high proportion of people trust the police to tell the truth While complaints have increased, they are unlikely to reflect the totality of public dissatisfaction with the police A relatively high proportion of people appear not to complain because they do not think anything will happen as a result There is some evidence to suggest the public thinks police corruption is a problem, though direct experience appears to be relatively limited 3
Crime Survey of England and Wales The Crime Survey of England and Wales (CSEW) is the most robust survey available on public perceptions of the police It draws on a large random sample of adults aged 16 and over (46, respondents in 11/12) The results, therefore, have a small margin of error and are representative of the wider general public Some groups are under-represented in the sample (e.g. people living in shared accommodation) It does not routinely include people aged less than 16 years The survey is administered face-to-face in respondents own home using CAPI (Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing) The survey asks about public trust & police complaints, but does not cover perceptions of police wrongdoing Some questions have been included since the first CSEW, meaning long term trend data is available 4
The CSEW has shown that victim satisfaction has increased by 12 percentage points since 7/8. The reason for this improvement is not known, though a more consistent attempt by the police to implement a service-oriented approach may have had an effect. It is notable that satisfaction remained stable for much of the s after a decline of around 1 percentage points in the late 199s. 1 Victim satisfaction Percentage (satisfied) 6 4 67 68 66 65 59 58 59 58 58 58 58 59 64 68 7 71 1992 1994 1996 1998 1/2 2/3 3/4 4/5 5/6 6/7 7/8 8/9 9/1 1/11 11/12 ONS 12a, Table D45 5
There has been a sustained increase in public confidence in the police. The proportion of people who think the local police do a good or excellent job the main measure of confidence has increased by 15 percentage points since 3/4. The cause of this increase cannot be established as it is a national trend, though the uptake of neighbourhood policing (from 5) may have been a contributing factor. Taking everything into account, how good a job do you think the police in this area are doing? 1 Very good job (OLD MEASURE) Fairly good job (OLD MEASURE) Good or excellent job (NEW MEASURE) 6 4 57 31 61 57 57 58 57 58 6 6 63 47 49 5 51 53 53 56 59 62 23 24 23 21 24 19 16 16 16 1984 1988 1992 1994 1996 1998 1/2 2/3 3/4 4/5 5/6 6/7 7/8 8/9 9/1 1/11 11/12 Percentage ONS 12a, Table A1 6
Police legitimacy is the idea that public accept police authority and believe the police are on their side. Legitimacy is often measured in terms of whether the public: think the police act lawfully and share their values; and feel everyone should accept what the police say because they have a moral obligation to do so. The CSEW showed a large proportion of people viewed the police as legitimate, but that consent was not universal. To what extent do you agree with the following statements? Police deal with local people according to the law 89 Police act consistently with my own ideas of right and wrong 76 It is always your duty to accept police decisions 61 4 6 1 Percentage (agreeing) ONS 12b Figure 3 7
Research shows that police legitimacy is largely shaped by public perceptions of police fairness principally fair decision-making and respectful treatment. However, while most people felt the local police would treat them with respect (86%), a significantly lower proportion felt the police would treat everyone fairly regardless of who they were (67%). Public perceptions of the police in the local area Overall, I have confidence in the police in this area 75 Police in this area are dealing with the issues that matter to people 62 The police in this area understand the issues that affect this community 72 The police in this area treat everyone fairly 67 The police in this area would treat you with respect if you had contact 86 The police in this area can be relied on when needed 59 4 6 1 Percentage (agreeing) ONS 12b, Figure 3 8
Perceptions of police fairness have been shown to be associated with public confidence in the police. However, while perceptions of fairness have seen a small significant increase, public confidence appears to have increased at a faster rate since 4/5 (when the questions were introduced). This pattern might suggest that factors other than police fairness are behind the increases in confidence (e.g. reduced crime rates, neighbourhood policing). 1 Public perceptions of the police in the local area 81 82 83 83 84 84 85 86 Percentage (agreeing) 6 4 63 55 69 67 63 64 65 63 64 65 65 62 72 75 67 67 Overall, I have confidence in the local police The local police would treat you with respect The local police treat everyone fairly ONS 12b, Table 1 4/5 5/6 6/7 7/8 8/9 9/1 1/11 11/12 9
Averages are likely to mask differences between subgroups. For example, a lower proportion of young people rated the police as good or excellent compared to other age groups. Often social characteristics are not independently associated with perceptions, which tend to be explained more by people s experiences in those groups (e.g. being searched). 1 Taking everything into account, how good a job do you think the police in this area are doing? Percentage ('good' or 'excellent') 6 4 59 65 64 6 6 63 69 16-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65-74 75+ Age group ONS 12a, Table A9 1
A similar age profile was revealed for other public perception measures. On average, people aged 16-24 years old compared to those in other age categories had lower levels of confidence and were less likely to say the police would treat them fairly and with respect. 1 Public perceptions of the local police 16-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65-74 75+ Percentage (agreeing) 6 4 The local police would treat you with respect ONS 12a, Table A7 The local police treat everyone fairly Overall, I have confidence in local police 11
There were also marked differences in perceptions about the police among different ethnic groups. Compared to people from other ethnic groups, a lower proportion of people who defined their ethnicity as Black / Black British or Mixed said they had confidence in the local police, and thought the police treated people fairly and with respect. Public perceptions of the local police 1 Asian or Asian British Black or Black British Mixed Other White 9 86 86 86 7 76 75 75 76 74 66 65 7 78 75 Percentage (agreeing) 6 5 4 54 51 3 1 The local police would treat you with respect The local police treat everyone fairly Overall, I have confidence in the local police ONS 12a, Table A7 12
Respondents were asked if they had ever been annoyed with the way the police had behaved towards them or someone they knew, or with the way they had handled a situation. The reasons people gave were provided in free-text. Most people (64%) who had ever been annoyed had been so in the last 5 years. However, few said they formally complained (1%). This gap suggests complaints represent only a small proportion of public dissatisfaction. 1 86 64 Percentage 6 4 36 1 3 Yes No Yes Tried but failed No Whether respondent had been annoyed with the police in last 5 years (n=2,93) Whether annoyed respondent had made an official complaint against the police (n=1,783) ONS 12a, Related data 13
The principal reason why people did not complain, despite being annoyed, was that they did not see the point or saw no benefit in them doing so. Over 6% of people held this view. [See Slide for related IPCC data.] Reasons why respondent did not make a complaint despite being annoyed (n=1,541) C ould not understand complaints procedure 2 Too long after the incident/left it too late 2 Worried about police response 4 Unsure of consequences/did not know what would happen 6 Did not know who to complain to 7 Not appropriate person/none of my business 14 Could see no benefit to making a complaint/no point 64 ONS 12a, Related data 4 6 Percentage 14
Of the people who reported being annoyed with the police and making a complaint over the last five years, a high proportion (76%) said they were very or a bit dissatisfied with the way their complaint was handled. 1 Satisfaction with the handling of the complaint against the police (n=243) Percentage 6 4 6 12 12 16 Very satisfied Fairly satisfied A bit dissatisified Very dissatisfied ONS 12a, Related data 15
IPCC public survey Since 4, the IPCC has included a series of questions in an annual omnibus survey of the general public in England & Wales In 1, the survey achieved a large sample of respondents (circa 3,) The wider omnibus survey, carried out by TNS-BMRB, uses a random sampling technique to identify households in order to secure a broadly representative sample of respondents As with the CSEW, some groups are likely to be under-represented in the final sample Respondents are interviewed face-to-face in their own homes using CAPI (Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing) Around 1% of all respondents are called back to validate and clarify their answers The survey includes questions about contact with the police, attitudes towards complaining & awareness of the IPCC 16
This IPCC survey showed that just over a quarter of people had contact with the police during the previous 12 months. This proportion was unchanged since 4. 1 Respondents who had contact with the police in the last 12 months Percentage (contact) 6 4 27 27 28 28 27 27 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 11 Inglis 9 & 11, Table 1 data unavailable for 5 & 1 17
However, the survey also showed a percentage point increase in the proportion of people who were reportedly happy or very happy with their contact experience. The reason for this increase is not known. Victim satisfaction (as measured by the CSEW) has also increased in recent years a change that could be associated with improved public confidence and police attempts to improve quality of service (see Slide 5). 1 Respondents happy with contact with the police Percentage (happy or very happy) 6 4 56 64 67 7 71 76 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 11 Inglis 9 & 11, Table 1 data unavailable for 5 & 1 18
Despite people reportedly being more satisfied on average with their contact with the police, administrative data published by the IPCC points to a large increase in public complaints. Complaints more than doubled in the period between 2/3 and 9/1. The reason for this increase is not known. The increase, for example, could be due to increase trust in the complaints system and / or a rise in negative experiences. 4, Complaints against the police 35, 3, 25,, 15, 1, 5, 1/2 2/3 3/4 4/5 5/6 6/7 7/8 8/9 9/1 1/11 11/12 IPCC 11 & 12, Table 4 19
Like the CSEW, the IPCC survey also explored why people did not complain about the police. The most common reason for respondents not making a complaint was that they did not expect anything to happen as a result. However, the differences between this response and others in the IPCC survey were less marked than in the CSEW (see Slide 14). 1 Reasons for not complaining Percentage (agreeing) 6 4 41 38 27 Inglis 11, Table 8 Nothing would be done Do not know how to make a complaint Will take up too much of my time Fears of police harrassment or other consequences
The proportion of people stating that complaints made against the police would not be taken seriously has increased 6 percentage points since 7. 1 "I would not be taken seriously if I made a complaint" Percentage (agreeing) 6 4 3 3 38 36 4 (n=4,9) 7 (n=4,569) 9 (n=3,725) 11 (n=3,71) Inglis 9 & 11, Table 6 21
Standards in Public Life survey The Committee on Standards in Public Life has carried out a public attitudes survey every two years since 4 The survey explores public perceptions about the standards of conduct of those holding public office, though there are few questions specifically about policing The survey, carried out by TNS-BMRB, covered the whole of Great Britain The achieved sample in 1 was around 1,5 respondents The most recent report contained limited information about how the survey was conducted, meaning its limitations are not known In previous years, a random sampling process was adopted (similar to the IPCC survey) 22
The survey showed a relatively high proportion of respondents trust senior police officers to tell the truth compared to a limited number of other professions, and that levels of trust have increased slightly for the police between 4 and 1. Previous sweeps of the survey have indicated that people trust the police in their local area slightly more than senior officers. [See Slide 25 for related HMIC findings.] Trusted to tell the truth Judges Senior police officers 68 73 TV news journalists 49 58 Broadsheet journalists 41 38 Top civil servants 37 41 Local MPs 4 47 4 1 MPs in general Government ministers 26 27 26 24 Tabloid journalists 7 16 4 6 1 Percentage Standards in Public Life Survey 1, Fig 2.3.1. The more recent 13 report did not include numerical findings. 23
HMIC public survey HMIC commissioned, as part of a follow-up review on police integrity, a survey to establish the public s view of the scale and nature of corruption in the police service The survey was carried out by ICM over the telephone, and achieved relatively large sample size (circa 3,5) The respondents were sampled though a process of random digit dialling with quotas for age, gender and religion The use of quota sampling means the results are only representative of those who participated in the survey rather than the wider population (though statistical weighting was applied) Unlikely the other surveys, HMIC specifically asked about people s perceptions and experiences of police corruption Measuring perceptions of corruption is inherently problematic the questions can be difficult for people to answer, and it is unclear what people understand by corruption and how informed their views are 24
Like the Public Standards survey (see Slide 22), HMIC also asked respondents about whether they trusted different professions to tell the truth. A similar proportion of respondents said they trusted the police to tell the truth, although the HMIC included other professions that were found to be more trusted. For each (group) would you tell me if you generally trust them to tell the truth, or not? Doctors 92 Teachers Professors Scientists Judges 85 82 79 Police 74 Television News Readers Clergymen/priests 7 7 The ordinary man or woman in the street Civil Servants 53 55 Journalists 19 (HMIC 12, Table 1: Q1) 4 6 1 Percentage (trusted) 25
Respondents to the HMIC survey were asked whether particular types of unethical behaviour were a problem in the police. The results highlighted public concern about the handling of sensitive information, largely in respect of disclosure issues. 1 To what extent do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements? Percent (agreeing) 6 4 48 46 58 There is a problem in the police with officers disclosing sensitive information to the media Corruption is a problem in the police The police can be trusted to keep people's personal information private (HMIC 12, Table 7: Q4) 26
Respondents to the HMIC survey were asked how common they thought it was for the police to disclose sensitive information to the media. Overall, 39% said that disclosure of sensitive information to the media was a very or fairly common. The survey was carried out soon after the phone hacking scandal and the Leveson Inquiry which, in part, looked at the relationship between the police and the press. 1 How common do you think disclosure of sensitive information to the media by the police is today, if you think it happens at all? Percentage 6 4 34 45 5 9 2 5 Very common Fairly common Not very common Not at all common Does not happen at all Don't know (HMIC 12, Table 17: Q4c) 27
Respondents were also asked how much of a problem they thought the disclosure of sensitive information to the media was by the police. Overall, 42% thought it was a very or fairly big problem. 1 And how big a problem, if at all, do you think is disclosure of sensitive information to the media by the police? Percentage 6 4 33 47 9 7 5 A very big problem A fairly big problem Not a very big problem Not a problem at all Don't know (HMIC 12, Table 18: Q4D) 28
Respondents to the HMIC survey were asked how big a problem corruption was within the police. Overall, 25% said that corruption was a very or fairly big problem. The largest proportion of people (36%) said they did not know. 1 And how big a problem, if at all, do you think corruption is in the police? Percentage 6 4 34 36 5 4 A very big problem A fairly big problem Not a very big problem Not a problem at all Don't know (HMIC 12, Table 15: Q4B) 29
Respondents to the HMIC survey were asked how common they thought corruption in the police service was. To some extent, respondents may have been primed by the questions that came before it in the questionnaire. Overall, the survey found that just over a third thought police corruption was very or fairly common. 1 How common do you think that police corruption is in this country today, if you think it happens at all? Percentage 6 4 49 29 7 Very common Fairly common Not very common 1 Not at all common 2 Does not happen at all (HMIC 12, Table 8: Q4A) 3
However, the opinion of most respondents was not based on personal experience. Their views seemed to be based more on media reports and assumptions. Overall, a relatively small proportion of respondents said they had direct or experience of corruption, or knew people who had had experience (19% and 38% respectively). Why do you think police corruption is common? (n=853) Other 5 Have personal experience of police corruption 19 Result of the recession/economic climate Know someone who has experienced police corruption 38 38 Heard about corruption from local media reports 51 Heard about corruption from media reports (not sure if national or local) 54 It's human nature 64 It happens in all professions An opportunity for officers to enrich themselves 73 74 Heard about corruption from national media reports 81 4 6 1 Percentage (HMIC 12, Table 9: Q4AA) 31
Most respondents to the HMIC survey felt that the level of police corruption had not changed over the last 12 months. The proportion of respondents thinking corruption had become more or less common was fairly evenly balanced. 1 Do you think police corruption is more or less common than a year ago? 64 Percentage 6 4 3 Much more common 13 9 8 4 More common About the same Less common Much less common Don't know (HMIC 12, Table 1: Q4AB) 32
Perceptions of an increase in police corruption were more likely to be influenced by general opinion and national media reports than by personal experience. Why do you think that the frequency of police corruption is more common? (n=273) Other 8 Personal experience 26 Experience of people I know 46 Local media reports 55 Changes in economic market 63 National media reports 71 It happens in all professions People are not as honest as they used to be 74 76 It's growing all around the world (HMIC 12, Table 12: Q4AC) 79 4 6 1 Percentage 33
Of the 86 respondents who said they had personal experience of police corruption, 18 said their experience was within the last 12 months. Others experience was more historical 31 said that their experience occurred at least five years ago. 3 You mentioned you had personally experienced police corruption, how recently did this occur? (n=86) 25 18 Number 15 15 13 16 15 1 7 5 3 Less than a month ago 1-12 months ago 1-2 years ago 3-4 years ago 5-1 years ago More than 1 years ago Prefer not to say (HMIC 12, table 13: Q4AD) 34
Those who reported having personal experience of police corruption were asked to describe the circumstances in more detail. Overall, it is unclear what specific corrupt behaviours most respondents were referring to when they were talking about their own experiences. Over threequarters refused to answer the question or referred to a behaviour in the other category. Can you tell me a bit more about the circumstances in which you personally experienced police corruption? (n=86) Refused to answer 64 Other 17 The police officer lied in court / changed their story 7 I or a family member was treated unfairly / they didn't listen / disregarded what I had to say 6 I know a police officer who is corrupt 6 I was threatened / physically attacked by the police 3 Don't know / can't remember (HMIC 12, Table 14: Q4AE) 4 6 Number 35
The results of the HMIC survey indicated that most respondents felt senior officers and frontline officers were equally likely to be corrupt. Do you think that senior officers or lower ranked police officers are more likely to be corrupt, or do you think they are both equally likely? They are both equally likely to be corrupt 66 Senior officers are a little more likely to be corrupt 1 Senior officers are a lot more likely to be corrupt 1 Don't know 8 Lower ranked officers are a little more likely to be corrupt 4 Lower ranked officers are a lot more likely to be corrupt 2 4 6 1 Percentage (HMIC 12, Table 16: Q4ba) 36
The results of the HMIC survey indicated that respondents expected high standards of ethical behaviour from the police. Overall, 89% agreed that the police should be more honest than the average person in the street, and 93% expected the police to treat people fairly regardless of who they were. 1 I expect the police to be more honest than the average person on the street I expect the police to treat people fairly, whoever they are 78 69 Percentage 6 4 15 Strongly agree Tend to agree Neither agree nor disagree 4 4 2 2 2 3 Tend to disagree Strongly disagree (HMIC 12, Table 21:Q4E) 37
Respondents to the HMIC survey were asked their opinions about whether they thought it was acceptable for police officers and staff to have second jobs. The results suggested their views were fairly nuanced. Most respondents said that it depended on the nature of the second job (%) and on the rank of the officer or member of staff (%). 1 Some police officers and staff have second jobs. Do you think this is... Percentage (agreeing) 6 4 48 25 15 2 (HMIC 12, Table 24:Q8) Always acceptable Depends on the second job Depends on the person's rank Never acceptable Don't know 38
References and source material CSEW Office for National Statistics (12a) Police Contacts and Complaints. Crime Survey of England and Wales 1 to 11-12. Link and related data Office for National Statistics (12b) Focus on Public Perceptions of Policing. Findings from the 11/12 Crime Survey for England and Wales. Link IPCC Inglis, G. (9) IPCC Confidence in the Police Complaints System: A Survey of the General Population in 9. BMRB / IPCC Research and Statistics Series Paper 17. Link Inglis, G. (11) IPCC Confidence in the Police Complaints System: A Survey of the General Population in 11. BMRB / IPCC Research and Statistics Series Paper. Link IPCC (11B) Police Complaints: Statistics for England and Wales 1/11. Link IPCC (12) Police Complaints: Statistics for England and Wales 11/12. Link Standards in Public Life Ipsos MORI / Committee on Standards in Public Life (1) Survey of Public Attitudes Towards Conduct in Public Life. Link HMIC HMIC / ICM (12) Trust in Police Survey. Link 39