In our society, Public support is key in every aspect of policing from the needed appropriations to fund a department to the cooperation of individuals on the street. It is important to consider public perception when examining both the role and consequences of police in a democratic society. How the public views the police can determine the legitimacy of police authority and citizen compliance with the law.
Public perception has a tremendous impact on the success on an investigation in the interview process. Statements are more easily gotten when both the investigator and the agency present a positive and professional image.
We live in an era where law enforcement is coming under greater scrutiny as advances in technology has armed members of the public with the ability to video record and publish law enforcement contacts through a variety of social media outlets.
Sir Robert Peel said, “Police must secure the willing cooperation of the public in voluntary observance of the law to be able to secure and maintain the respect of the public.”
There are two major factors that influence the public’s perception of law enforcement. Those factors are:
- The investigator’s appearance
- The investigator’s behavior
Investigator Appearance
A well-groomed investigator can portray confidence, professionalism, and a command presence that helps to enlist the cooperation of those with whom the investigator must interview. Beards, long mustaches, offensive tattoos, morbid obesity and any other element of unprofessional appearance creates a negative image in conflict with the professional objective that the investigator is attempting to achieve.
To enlist public support, an investigator must first earn the public’s respect. An investigator’s presence sends a message and the degree of support that the investigator receives depends on whether the message is positive or negative.
The first level of force on the force continuum is often a police presence. A professional image that exudes confidence is an effective force and can be instrumental in maintaining control when interacting with members of the public.
Investigator Behavior
It is often said that investigators live in a glass house. It is certainly true that uniformed investigators draw the public’s attention and are often scrutinized more closely than the general public. The public holds investigators to a higher standard than that of other citizens and expects those investigators to be an example to the community. Any violation of the law will be noticed and likely reported.
Investigators who have a reputation for even minor violations begin to lose their effectiveness as an investigator once the habitual violations become known.
We are living in an era that encourages citizens to become more watchful of law enforcement and to report any violations. With today’s technology and the proliferation of cell phones with video capability, the report of such violations are often supported with video footage. Even the slightest indication of bias can have a negative effect on the professional image.
The Impact of Public Perception
In our society, Public support is key in every aspect of policing from the needed appropriations to fund a department to the cooperation of individuals on the street. It is important to consider public perception when examining both the role and consequences of police in a democratic society. How the public views the police can determine the legitimacy of police authority and citizen compliance with the law.
Public perception has a tremendous impact on the success on an investigation in the interview process. Statements are more easily gotten when both the investigator and the agency present a positive and professional image.
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