Kappeler: Community Policing, 6th Edition


Case Studies with Questions and Answers

Chapter 04: The Police and Community Perception

The police department for the City of Los Angeles, California is having a problem with its image. Specifically, the perception that the public has of the police department is extremely negative. This is due in part to recent history and its much publicized examples of police brutality. The Beating of Rodney King on March 31, 1991 by police officers of the Los Angeles Police Department has strained the relationship between the African American community and the police department. Thus negatively affecting that the public has of the police department.

In theory the City of Los Angeles Police Department understands that all individuals should be treated the same. However, in practice that has not always happened. Relationships are built up over time, interactions with the community and the media will have an impact on those relations.

Although the City of Los Angeles Police Department is using a combination of a traditional policing strategy and a community policing strategy it is still not viewed positively by the community that it services. The City of Los Angeles police department would like to better understand what demographic factors affect the public's perception of the police department and why? Additionally, the city of Los Angeles police department would also like to understand what they need to do better to improve the perception that the public has of them.

In order to accomplish their task the Los Angeles Police Department will utilize a community policing strategy to get citizen input about their performance from a number of sources.

Questions

  1. How can the City of Los Angeles benefit when there are good relations between the community and the police department?
  2. Correct Answer

    When good relations exist between the community and the police department there is greater cooperation between both groups. Furthermore, there is a decrease in the crime rate. Additionally, the lines of communication are open which will assist in solving other problems that the community might have.


  3. What factors affect the community's attitudes toward the police?
  4. Correct Answer

    There are a number of demographic factors that affect citizen attitudes toward the police. For example, race and race relations affects attitudes toward the police. Aged and gender are also powerful predictors of what citizens think of police. Finally, socioeconomic status and personae experience with the police also affect citizen attitudes about police.


  5. What can the City of Los Angeles do to break down barriers to a more positive police and community partnership?
  6. Correct Answer

    In order to have a more positive partnership with the community the city of Los Angeles Police Department could focus on minimizing excessive force. Furthermore police corruption and rudeness also inhibit a good working relationship.


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