The article addresses the issue of shaping public opinion on police activities. The authors highlight significant problems in gaining accurate results from sociological research of public opinion related to law enforcement agencies. Attitude towards the police and police activity assessment are based on a number of various factors such as behavioral habits of officers, stereotypes of police and state authorities in general, perception of criminal situation. Hence, the authors state that results of opinion surveys should not be seen as cure-al when it comes to assessing activities of internal affairs agencies. Yet it is emphasized that modern methods of public opinion research employ several techniques able to reduce subjectivity of surveys. Factors influencing the development of public opinion on police activities are addressed. Among such factors the authors indicate personal contacts of people with police representatives, and mass media effect. The authors state that the latter is one of the major factors influencing the general public’s opinion on police efficiency. The research reveals serious changes in preferences of Volgograd citizens as per the choice of sources of information about police activities. Comparative analysis of sociological research that the authors participated in shows that television yields to the Internet and social media as a public's preference. Analysis of observation results reveals correlation of trust level towards the police and information sources selection. Survey participants, who receive information on police activities from mass media, show higher trust level towards the police than those who judge mainly from personal experience. In conclusion the authors emphasize positive dynamics of police activities assessment by citizens. Such evaluation to a certain extent depends on the character of information disseminated, which is mainly responsible for developing attitudes and stereotype.
police activities assessment factors
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