Public perceptions of community policing

Abstract

This dissertation is a quantitative research that investigated the public perceptions regarding Community Policing in Malta. After a thorough analysis of the relevant literature on the subject, an online questionnaire was formulated, aimed to include respondents coming from Community Policed localities and traditionally policed localities, which were presented with statements regarding policing roles and functions in society and the respondents were asked to what extent they agree or disagree. Following this, the sample split into two group variables; residents coming from localities that implemented Community Policing and those which have not. Subsequently, through data analysis a comparison of perceptions of the two group variables was conducted. The aim was to get a better understanding of how the public perceives Community policing and if it has brought a shift in the way the public perceives the Police in Malta. The results showed that both group variables achieved positive results in the majority of the questions, whilst in some areas such community safety and security, the use of social media as means of communication and crime prevention, community policing achieved better results than the traditional policed localities, whereas in the area of police patrol both groups where perceived negatively by the respondents of the questionnaire.