The Policing Board has published the final pieces of research commissioned on public confidence in policing and the factors that influence public opinion.
The research reports focus on different themes including examining the link between deprivation and confidence in the police in Northern Ireland; what influences people’s perception about whether the police are doing a good job; and the influence that politicians, community leaders and the media can have on confidence levels.
Speaking about the research Board Chair Anne Connolly said:
“This comprehensive research commissioned by the Board into public confidence in policing has been an important piece of work. Findings show that those in more deprived areas appear to have less confidence in the police. There is also a perception that those living in more disadvantaged communities are less likely to rate the performance of the PSNI highly.
In terms of how the public think the PSNI perform over a number of issues, relatively speaking they tend to rate the performance better in relation to tackling serious crime, responding promptly to emergencies, and tackling dangerous driving, with performance in providing a visible patrolling presence and tackling drug dealing being seen as less effective.
With work ongoing around the development of the 2015/16 policing plan and the current budget pressures facing PSNI the themes emerging from this research will help inform thinking and policing plans moving forward. In particular around communications within the service and with the community, given the positive impact openness and transparency can have on public perceptions of policing.”
Ends
For more information please contact the Policing Board’s Communications Office on 07801738795.
Notes to Editors
- The Board Commissioned 4 pieces of research on Public Confidence in Policing as follows:
- ‘The key drivers of public confidence in NI ‘– undertaken by University of Ulster, Jordanstown (published on 6 November 2014)
- ‘Links Between deprivation and confidence in the police in NI’ undertaken by Millward Brown Ulster
- ‘What influences people’s perception about whether the police are doing a good job in NI?’ undertaken by Millward Brown Ulster
- ‘The influence that politicians, community leaders and the media have on confidence in the police in Northern Ireland’ undertaken by University of Ulster, Jordanstown.