Measuring the Performance of the Police: The Perspective of the Public

Executive Summary
The aim of this project is to review and critically assess the current survey methods used to measure police performance in common law jurisdictions. Specifically, an emphasis is placed on the questions that are asked on different public opinion and community surveys in Canada and internationally, with the ultimate goal of recommending better approaches to conducting such surveys. Other police performance measures, such as operational metrics, are also touched upon, albeit to a lesser extent.

A comprehensive and systematic literature review of published research of Canadian, as well as international literature in the field of police performance measurement through surveys was conducted. Surveys on all levels of geography – national, provincial, or municipal – were considered for review. Particular attention was paid to analytical research that looked into the actual questions asked on surveys, their meaning and whether they measure what they are supposed to measure. Analysis focused on public views of the police, and a considerable part of the present paper addresses the issue of satisfaction, trust, and confidence in the police
— Read on www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/rsrcs/pblctns/2015-r034/index-en.aspx