Public Opinions

Executive Summary

Police officers and their supervisors know that news coverage about a citizen’s negative encounter with the police, particularly coverage that erupts to the level of a public scandal, can quickly destroy their efforts to nurture a positive relationship with the public. But what about routine encounters positive or negative that are not covered by mass media? Do they shape the public’s opinion of the police? Do individuals’ vicarious encounters with police encounters they merely hear about from family and friends significantly affect public opinion? The answers to these questions can help police managers decide how best to manage the time and resources they devote to media management and officer training. They also can help officers understand the impact of their everyday encounters with citizens. The Vera Institute of Justice conducted a nine-month study to examine these and other questions about what shapes public opinion