Policing in America: Understanding Public Attitudes Toward the Police. Results from a National Survey

Abstract

While 68% of white Americans have a favorable view of the police, only 40% of African Americans and 59% of Hispanics have a favorable view. Attitudes have changed little since the 1970s when 67% of whites and 43% of blacks reported favorable views of the police. Racial minorities do not have monolithic attitudes toward the police. This report finds that Hispanics’ perceptions of police occupy a “middle ground” between black and white Americans’ views.

Keywords: Public Opinion Polling, Police Brutality, Criminal Justice, Police Reform, Race

JEL Classification: J15