Citizensʼ Views on the Importance of Different Areas of Police Work<subtitle>A Best–Worst Scaling Approach</subtitle>

This study investigates public perceptions regarding the prioritization of different areas of police work in Sweden amid growing concerns over crime and public safety. Utilizing a best–worst scaling (BWS) approach, the research aims to discern which police activities citizens deem most and least imp...

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Main Authors: Tobias Fläder, Caroline Mellgren
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Scandinavian University Press 2024-09-01
Series:Nordic Journal of Studies in Policing
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.idunn.no/doi/10.18261/njsp.11.1.3
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author Tobias Fläder
Caroline Mellgren
author_facet Tobias Fläder
Caroline Mellgren
author_sort Tobias Fläder
collection DOAJ
description This study investigates public perceptions regarding the prioritization of different areas of police work in Sweden amid growing concerns over crime and public safety. Utilizing a best–worst scaling (BWS) approach, the research aims to discern which police activities citizens deem most and least important, thereby shedding light on public expectations for police resource allocation. The findings reveal a strong public emphasis on the importance of responding to emergency calls and addressing gang criminality. Conversely, administrative tasks and traffic safety are viewed as lower priorities. The article offers insights into the alignment (or misalignment) between public expectations and police practices, emphasizing the role of public opinion in shaping police strategies and the importance of balancing crime fighting with social service functions to maintain public trust and legitimacy in law enforcement.
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series Nordic Journal of Studies in Policing
spelling doaj-art-c80e6d60f44e4efcb37f5a77c67f3fa12025-08-20T03:19:29ZengScandinavian University PressNordic Journal of Studies in Policing2703-70452024-09-0111111910.18261/njsp.11.1.3Citizensʼ Views on the Importance of Different Areas of Police Work<subtitle>A Best–Worst Scaling Approach</subtitle>Tobias Fläder0Caroline Mellgren1Department of Police Work, Malmö UniversityDepartment of Police Work, Malmö UniversityThis study investigates public perceptions regarding the prioritization of different areas of police work in Sweden amid growing concerns over crime and public safety. Utilizing a best–worst scaling (BWS) approach, the research aims to discern which police activities citizens deem most and least important, thereby shedding light on public expectations for police resource allocation. The findings reveal a strong public emphasis on the importance of responding to emergency calls and addressing gang criminality. Conversely, administrative tasks and traffic safety are viewed as lower priorities. The article offers insights into the alignment (or misalignment) between public expectations and police practices, emphasizing the role of public opinion in shaping police strategies and the importance of balancing crime fighting with social service functions to maintain public trust and legitimacy in law enforcement.https://www.idunn.no/doi/10.18261/njsp.11.1.3Policeprioritiesresource allocationpolicing
spellingShingle Tobias Fläder
Caroline Mellgren
Citizensʼ Views on the Importance of Different Areas of Police Work<subtitle>A Best–Worst Scaling Approach</subtitle>
Nordic Journal of Studies in Policing
Police
priorities
resource allocation
policing
title Citizensʼ Views on the Importance of Different Areas of Police Work<subtitle>A Best–Worst Scaling Approach</subtitle>
title_full Citizensʼ Views on the Importance of Different Areas of Police Work<subtitle>A Best–Worst Scaling Approach</subtitle>
title_fullStr Citizensʼ Views on the Importance of Different Areas of Police Work<subtitle>A Best–Worst Scaling Approach</subtitle>
title_full_unstemmed Citizensʼ Views on the Importance of Different Areas of Police Work<subtitle>A Best–Worst Scaling Approach</subtitle>
title_short Citizensʼ Views on the Importance of Different Areas of Police Work<subtitle>A Best–Worst Scaling Approach</subtitle>
title_sort citizens views on the importance of different areas of police work subtitle a best worst scaling approach subtitle
topic Police
priorities
resource allocation
policing
url https://www.idunn.no/doi/10.18261/njsp.11.1.3
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