Russian Journal of Economics and Law (Sep 2017)
ASSESSMENT BY CITIZENS OF THE LEVEL OF CONFIDENCE OF POLICEAND PROTECTION FROM CRIMINAL ENTRY
Abstract
Objective: on the basis of sociological research, to determine the level of confidence in police among the population of Nizhny Novgorod region and to measure the subjective assessment by citizens of the degree of protection from criminal attacks. Methods: general scientific (analysis, systemic-structural approach to the analysis of research object, comparative-legal), as well as logical methods and the special scientific method (questionnaire method - questioning of residents of Nizhny Novgorod region).Results: the characteristics of the process of actual interaction between citizens and police are identified and classified; the attitude to police and the level of trust in police in general and in certain areas of their work in various categories of the population are identified; the typology of population groups depending on their concepts about police functioning is carried out. Scientific novelty: for the first time, the article discusses public opinion of the Nizhny Novgorod region residents about police officers; the actual characteristics and interaction between citizens and police are revealed; proposals and practical recommendations were formulated for adjustment of the work of territorial bodies of the Ministry of Interior with the aim of increasing the level of their credibility with the population. Among them are: a) to improve the efficiency of propaganda of the police work results in mass media, including the work with citizens’ claims, disclosure and investigation of crimes, especially those which caused a broad public resonance; b) to inform citizens and police officers about the social importance of the activities of Internal Affairs bodies and internal troops for ensuring public order, prevention, suppression, disclosure of crimes and offences; c) to expand the number of journalists specializing in law-enforcement issues; d) to simplify the procedure for receiving claims from citizens about small and medium crimes with the use of modern technologies (the possibility of electronic claims through specialized portals or applications); d) to continue explaining to citizens the advantages and possibilities of use the “Safe city” application for crime prevention in public places and increasing the effectiveness of police officers for suppression, disclosure and investigation of crimes in hot pursuit.Practical significance: the results of the study reveal the essential characteristics of public opinion about the police officers’ image. These characteristics can be used as a tool for shaping the image of law-enforcement officers. The guidelines are developed for improving the analytical support of activity of divisions of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs in Nizhny Novgorod region and territorial bodies of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs deployed in the region, to increase the level of credibility among the population.
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