Police Presence Research Articles

The Impact of Islamic Extremist Terrorist Attacks on the British Muslim Community

This study investigates the impact of Islamophobic hate crimes on the British Muslim community in the aftermath of the 2017 terrorist attacks in the UK (United Kingdom), which were largely linked to Islamic extremism. Using qualitative research methods, the project explores the psychological and social consequences experienced by Muslim communities, focusing on hate crimes and discrimination. Through participant questionnaires, the study identifies key themes such as heightened anxiety, fear of public safety, and altered online behaviours. Respondents reported feelings of paranoia, identity questioning, and social withdrawal, reflecting the emotional and mental toll of Islamophobia. Additionally, the rise in Islamophobic abuse, both in person and online, demonstrates the widespread prejudice faced by Muslims post-terrorist incidents. The research highlights gaps in current counter-terrorism strategies, particularly in addressing the secondary harm inflicted on Muslim communities. Victims often felt neglected by law enforcement, leading to calls for more robust protective measures, such as increased police presence in vulnerable areas and better communication between authorities and Muslim communities. Participants also recommended educational reforms to raise public awareness of Islamophobia and more responsible media coverage to prevent further stigmatization of Muslims. The study emphasizes the importance of policy changes to reduce hate crimes and foster social cohesion.

Increasing Police Presence: Examining Race, Ethnicity, and Perceived Neighborhood Disadvantage as Correlates of Support

Increasing Police Presence: Examining Race, Ethnicity, and Perceived Neighborhood Disadvantage as Correlates of Support

Policing Nigerian elections: violence, institutional weaknesses and remedial trajectories

ABSTRACT A major preventative approach adopted by the Nigerian state to forestall election-day violence is the increased deployment of state security agents, particularly, the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) to ensure the safety of voters, electoral materials and officials. But has the inordinate expansion of police presence in balloting spaces clamped down on violence? Part of a PhD study with 15 participants and empirical findings from Rivers State, Nigeria, are presented here to answer the above question. Using in-depth interviews and focus group discussions, data were elicited from electoral officials and independent electoral observers. The paper’s contribution is bi-dimensional. First, it adds to the empirical literature on electoral violence in Nigeria by analysing the outcomes of police deployment patterns in balloting spaces. The study finds that the lack of operational capacity and the politicisation of the NPF are mainly responsible for the police’s inability to guarantee the safety of voters and electoral officials. Second, the paper adds to the scholarship on democratically responsive policing. Utilising the NPF as case study, the findings demonstrate the explanatory power of the concept to capture the (un)democratic policing credentials of a given police service. The paper is relevant for understanding the challenges of policing elections in non-Western, illiberal quasi-democratic societies.

An algorithmic strategy for measuring police presence with GPS data

An algorithmic strategy for measuring police presence with GPS data

Simultaneous Causality and the Spatial Dynamics of Violent Crimes as a Factor in and Response to Police Patrolling

Simultaneous causality occurs when two variables mutually influence each other, creating empirical contexts where cause and effect are not clearly unidirectional. Crime and policing often appear in urban studies presenting the following characteristic: sometimes, increased police patrols can reduce criminal activities, and other times, higher crime rates can prompt law enforcement administrations to increase patrols in affected areas. This study aims to explore the relationships between patrol dynamics and crime locations using spatial regression to support public policies. We identify spatial patterns and the potential impact of crime on policing and vice versa. Data on crimes and patrol locations were collected from the database provided by the Planning and Management Secretariat and the Social Defense Secretariat of Pernambuco, Brazil. The study employed Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) to create a spatial simultaneous regression model for integrated security zones within the Brazilian geography. This approach provides a holistic visualization, enhancing our understanding and predictive capabilities regarding the intricate relationship between police presence and crime. The results report a significant relationship, with crime locations explaining police patrols (varying in geographic domain and type of crime). No statistically significant results from most geographic locations point to the inverse relation. The quantitative analysis segregated by typology presents a potential for effective public decision support by identifying the categories that most influence the patrol security time.

An algorithmic strategy for measuring police presence with GPS data

This study introduces an algorithmic strategy for measuring dimensions of police presence at microgeographic units using GPS data from police patrol units. The proposed strategy builds upon the integrated theory of hot spots patrol strategy from Sherman et al. (Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice 30:95–122, 2014), focusing on three key dimensions: the frequency, duration, and intermittency of police presence. This study provides pseudocodes for the algorithm, facilitating the pre-processing of GPS-derived data sequences to generate measures of these three central concepts. The measures presented in this article offer a framework for investigating the impact of police presence on crime and other relevant crime-related outcomes at microgeographic units, using GPS data. This algorithmic strategy may further contribute to the development of evidence-based strategies in place-based policing initiatives.

Perceived effectiveness of traditional and technology-based speeding-related countermeasures

Introduction: Speeding behaviour contributes significantly to road crashes and subsequent injuries and fatalities. The purpose of this study was to examine which traditional countermeasures (i.e., police enforcement and on-road signs) and technology-based countermeasures (i.e., advanced driver assistance systems [ADAS] and in-vehicle speed audio alerts) drivers perceived as effective in assisting them to comply with posted speed limits. Methods: Participants (N = 680; Mage = 49.34 years) who held a current driver’s licence completed a 20-minute online survey. Participants in the experimental condition were randomly assigned to read one of four scenarios which differed based on location (urban or regional) and posted speed limit (60 km/hr or 100 km/hr) or to the control condition (no scenario), before answering questions about the perceived effectiveness of the traditional and technology-based interventions. For the experimental conditions, participants were instructed to respond to these questions based on how they would drive in the situation outlined in the scenario. Results: Low-level speeding behaviour was common, with 40.7 % reporting regularly driving 5 km over the posted speed limit in a 60 km/hr speed zone and 50.4 % reporting regularly driving 5 km over the posted speed limit in a 100 km/hr speed zone. A mixed ANOVA revealed that participants perceived police enforcement activities to be the most effective at assisting them to comply with posted speed limits when compared to other traditional and technology-based approaches. Further, ADAS was rated by participants as significantly more effective at assisting them to comply with the posted speed limit in the 100 km/hr urban condition compared to the 60 km/hr urban condition. Conclusions: Low-level speeding behaviour remains common practice and there is a need for continued roadside police presence to discourage this behaviour. Drivers with ADAS-equipped vehicles could also be encouraged to use systems, such as adaptative cruise control, to assist with speed management on high-speed roads.

Exploring Redevelopment and Police Presence in Bushwick, Brooklyn, Using Photovoice Methodology

The relationship between redevelopment and police presence is demonstrated in many neighborhoods by the influx of new residentsfrom suburban or rural areas and shifts in police response. As property values increase, police may prioritize order maintenance policing, also known as "broken windows" policing (Beck, 2020, p.247). This is disproportionately felt by Black and Brown residents who often suffer the consequences of rising costs, displacement, increased surveillance, and police presence. This paper explores the relationship between urban redevelopment and policing in one of the most popular neighborhoods in the borough of Brooklyn–Bushwick. As a socialwork researcher of color, I want to share the narratives that often go overlooked. I felt secure and empowered to conduct research and report my findings as a community member who is seeking to support and collaborate with my community. Photovoice allows me to do just this by highlighting the daily realities in my neighborhood. However, having more voices from long-term community members is imperative and will be essential in further exploration of this topic. Keywords: gentrification, redevelopment, policing, police presence, Bushwick, Brooklyn, New York City, photovoice, etc.

"You Have to Be a Doctor First": Trauma Surgeons' Perspectives on Police Interactions in the Hospital.

Police activity in emergency medical settings has been shown to complicate the care of patients and impact patient-provider relationships. Recent scholarship has called for clear hospital policy outlining the terms of police access to patients and the role of clinicians. Despite regular contact between trauma surgeons and police, research on the impact of police activity on trauma care has been limited. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with attending trauma surgeons and general surgery residents (N = 13) at 3 urban hospitals about their interactions with police in clinical settings. Participants were recruited using snowball sampling. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed for recurrent themes using an iterative grounded theory process. Participants reported routine contact with police that required active negotiation of the scope of clinical and police authority in the hospital. These negotiations were shaped by prior experiences, perceptions of police, officer behavior, and institutional culture. Surgeons felt compelled to advocate for patients, but reported intimidation in moments of conflict. Participants noted uncertainty around the legal dimensions of their relationship to police and a lack of universal guidance on appropriate responses. This data points to the need for improvements in both policy and workflow to regulate and reduce the burden of these interactions and protect clinicians' priorities from being subordinated to those of police. Further research is needed to understand how police presence impacts patient outcomes, and to guide best practices for regulating and mitigating potential negative impact.

Order Keepers or Immigration Agents? Latine Immigrant Views of Law Enforcement in Healthcare Settings.

Police and security presence in healthcare settings have grown. There are few studies exploring perceptions of these law enforcement agents among US Latine immigrants, who can be vulnerable to immigration enforcement actions due to past and ongoing criminalization and anti-immigrant policies. To explore Latine immigrants' perceptions of law enforcement in healthcare settings. Exploratory, semi-structured qualitative interviews asked participants about their perspectives of law enforcement in healthcare settings. English- and Spanish-speaking adult patients (n = 19) from a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in Los Angeles, CA, serving predominantly low-income Latine immigrants. We used the framework method for analysis to establish a codebook and inform our thematic interpretation. We identified three themes: (1) perceptions of safety offered by police officers are separated from the role of immigration officers; (2) perceptions of police officers are integrated into broader perceptions of the healthcare system; and (3) lived experiences, including immigration status, influenced valence response to officer uniforms and perceptions of officers. Most participants viewed police officers positively as maintaining order and safety, separating them from federal immigration enforcement actions, and reflecting on local, state, and organizational "sanctuary" or immigrant-friendly policies. Individuals with precarious immigration status more often saw officers as intimidating. Immigration enforcement remained a key concern. Differentiating police and security roles from immigration enforcement in healthcare could improve Latine immigrant trust and access. Future studies should explore perspectives of Latine immigrants in localities without sanctuary laws or organizational immigrant-friendly policies.

IJCM_246A: Estimating the prevalence of seat belt usage in motor cars: A descriptive cross-sectional study in Mangalore

Background: Every year 1.25 million people die of road traffic accidents. Several safety measures can be taken to prevent RTAs. The SDG 2030 set the target to halve the number of global death and injuries from road traffic accidents by the year 2020. The aim of this study is to estimate the prevalence of seat belt use and factors influencing it including driver characteristics, type of car and time of day and distractions while driving. Methodology: This Descriptive cross-sectional study was set on the major roads and intersections of Mangalore, recruiting the drivers and front-seat passengers in the motor cars at the time and site of observation. Results: A total of 6165 motor cars were observed. 15 (0.2%) of these cars had completely tinted car windows, therefore out of the total, 6150 motor cars could be properly observed. 70.91% (4361) of drivers were wearing seat belts. Seat belt usage among drivers was found to be higher on highways (76.6%) as compared to on residential and city roads (69.3%). In vicinity of traffic police, 76.5% of drivers were observed to be wearing seat belts in contrary only 67.8% of them were wearing seatbelts in the absence of traffic police. Prevalence of mobile phone use and other distractions amongst drivers was 2.1%. Out of 2646 adult front seat passengers observed, only 10.9% were wearing seat belts. Conclusion: Among drivers, type of motor car, traffic zone and type of road and presence of traffic police in vicinity are significantly associated factors with seatbelt usage. Among adult front seat passengers, type of motor car, traffic zone, type of road and presence of traffic police in vicinity are significantly associated. Among front seat child passengers, type of road and traffic zone are significantly associated with seat belt usage.

Tracking illegal activities using video surveillance systems: a review of the current state of research

The current state of research on the use of the neural networks under martial law to identify offenders committing illegal acts, prevent acts of terrorism, combat sabotage groups in cities, track weapons and control traffic is considered. The methods of detecting illegal actions, weapons, face recognition and traffic violations using video surveillance cameras are analysed. It is proposed to introduce the studied methods into the work of “smart” video surveillance systems in Ukrainian settlements.
 The most effective means of reducing the number of offences is the inevitability of legal liability for offences, so many efforts in law enforcement are aimed at preventing offences. Along with public order policing by patrol police, video surveillance is an effective way to prevent illegal activities in society. Increasing the coverage area of cameras and their number helps to ensure public safety in the area where they are used. However, an increase in the number of cameras creates another problem which is the large amount of video data that needs to be processed. To solve the problem of video data processing, various methods are used, the most modern of which is the use of artificial intelligence to filter a large amount of data from video cameras and the application of various video processing algorithms. The ability to simultaneously process video data from many CCTV cameras without human intervention not only contributes to public safety, but also improves the work of patrol police. The introduction of smart video surveillance systems allows monitoring the situation in public places around the clock, even if there is no police presence in the area.
 In the reviewed studies of video surveillance systems, neural networks, in particular MobileNet V2, YOLO, mYOLOv4-tiny, are used to track illegal actions, criminals and weapons, which are trained on large amounts of video and photo data. It has been found that although neural networks used to require a lot of computing power, they can now be used in IoT systems and smartphones, and this contributes to the fact that more video surveillance devices can be used to monitor the situation.

Responding to domestic and family violence in resource-constrained contexts: a case study on rural policing innovations in Melanesia

PurposeDiscussions about progressive gender reform across Melanesia highlight the need for more gender-inclusive policies and improved conditions for women and girls throughout all sectors. However, for many of these countries, attempts to address the problems are marred by insufficient resources and low prioritization of the issue and traditional, cultural and religious perspectives about gender and gendered roles. This article discusses how police responses are coordinated to address domestic and family violence (DFV) and provides a critical reflection on both internal responses and the complexities of multi-partner operations beyond urban spaces.Design/methodology/approachThis article draws on the findings from a stakeholder engagement focus group with 20 participants from four Melanesian countries – Fiji, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu – to provide insight into policing innovations in rural contexts.FindingsThere is a need for improved multisector partnerships, increased police presence and greater reliance on indigenous strategies to improve responses to DFV in resource-constrained contexts.Originality/valueThe article provides insight into an under-researched area and makes recommendations for improving responses to DFV in rural areas in small-island developing states.

A location discrete choice model of crime: Police elasticity and optimal deployment.

Despite the common belief that police presence reduces crime, there is mixed evidence of such causal effects in major Latin America cities. In this work we identify the casual relationship between police presence and criminal events by using a large dataset of a randomized controlled police intervention in Bogotá D.C., Colombia. We use an Instrumental Variables approach to identify the causal effect of interest. Then we consistently estimate a Conditional Logit discrete choice model with aggregate data that allow us to identify agents' utilities for crime location using Two Stage Least Squares. The estimated parameters allow us to compute the police own and cross-elasticities of crime for each of the spatial locations and to evaluate different police patrolling strategies. The elasticity of crime to police presence is, on average across spatial locations, -0.26 for violent crime, -0.38 for property crime and -0.38 for total crime, all statistically significant. Estimates of cross-elasticities are close to zero; however, spillover effects are non-negligible. Counterfactual analysis of different police deployment strategies show, for an optimal allocating algorithm, an average reduction in violent crime of 7.09%, a reduction in property crimes of 8.48% and a reduction in total crimes of 5.15% at no additional cost. These results show the potential efficiency gains of using the model to deploy police resources in the city without increasing the total police time required.

‘In safe hands’: experiences of services users and family/support people of police, ambulance and mental health co-response

ABSTRACT People often have not received the support they needed during a mental health crisis that triggered an emergency service (911) call. In order to address this gap, an Aotearoa New Zealand Co-Response Team (CRT) was established and studied over 12 months. With co-response, specialist staff from police, ambulance and mental health services jointly attend 911-mental health crises providing simultaneous multidisciplinary input. This study employed qualitative methods to analyze the narratives obtained from 23 service users and family/supporters who experienced co-response. Themes included ’I needed help’, ‘humanistic engagement’ and ‘good but not perfect’. Participants liked the co-response model. CRT staff were praised for their kind approach, reassuring communication and practical multi-disciplinary help that differed from prior experiences. Some participants experienced poor follow-up support and some felt intimidated by the CRT police presence, recommending improved pathways and a cautious CRT police approach.

Policing social media: Are procedural justice principles guiding Canadian police interactions online?

Police presence on social media has become increasingly common in recent years and has arguably altered policing in many ways. Although research in this area is increasing, the growing presence of police on a range of social media platforms requires further examination of the various nuances that continue to emerge regarding this symbiosis. To that end, only a small number of studies have examined this topic from the perspective of police personnel in the Canadian context. Accordingly, drawing on in-depth interviews with police personnel overseeing police social media sites, this article examines how Canadian police services manage negativity and conflict online. The findings suggest that police services address negativity and conflict on their social media sites by drawing on the principles of procedural justice to guide their interactions. We discuss the implications of these findings and how police–public social media interactions might be improved.

Transformation of Binjai Police Presence Application: UI/UX Design with Design Thinking Method to Improve Efficiency and User Experience

Transformation of Binjai Police Presence Application: UI/UX Design with Design Thinking Method to Improve Efficiency and User Experience

Exploring the Association between Levels of Police Presence, Contact, and Perceptions of Police Legitimacy

Our goal was to investigate how increased police presence and contact are related to police-community relations, and whether this relationship may be different for those who are more likely to be subject to targeted policing practices, especially those with preexisting lower procedural justice assessments, living in disadvantaged communities, and having prior experience with the criminal justice system. Increased police presence was related to higher police legitimacy assessments, while low quality contact was negatively associated with police legitimacy. Increased presence and positive contact with the police were related to improved attitudes towards the police for those living in disadvantaged neighborhoods and who had preexisting lower procedural justice assessments. The opposite relationship was found for those living in advantaged neighborhoods with more positive preexisting attitudes towards the police. Implementation of tactics that increase police presence and positive contact with the police could improve police-community relations in neighborhoods that are disadvantaged and have residents that see the police as procedurally unjust.

Walking the Divide: A Public Health Journey from Manhattan to Harlem.

This paper examines the striking contrasts and inequalities observation by walking from Manhattan to Harlem in New York City, highlighting the significant social and economic differences that have profound implications for public health and social policy. Through this journey, we explore various aspects including racial segregation, the composition of shops, smoking habits, street cleanliness, police presence, unemployment, real estate disparities, and the pervasive sense of insecurity. The transition from a predominantly White Manhattan to a predominantly Black and Hispanic Harlem underscores the historical and systemic inequalities that continue to shape the city's demographic and economic landscape. These disparities, rooted in discriminatory housing policies, economic disparities, and social exclusion, manifest in poorer health outcomes, higher rates of substance use, and limited economic opportunities for minority populations. By addressing these structural issues through targeted policies and sustained interventions, policymakers may work towards reducing health disparities and promoting racial equity. This paper also highlights the concept of Minorities' Diminished Returns (MDRs), where the benefits of education and income are less pronounced for minority individuals compared to their White counterparts, further perpetuating cycles of disadvantage. Comprehensive efforts to dismantle systemic inequities are essential for fostering a more equitable and healthy society.

Children betrayed: The unseen victims of domestic violence and how law enforcement can better protect them

Abstract Domestic violence is a commonplace and serious societal problem with vast public health and economic consequences. Childhood exposure to domestic violence can blight children’s biological and social development. Often, local police departments are first responders to domestic violence. This is because danger is associated with these events, which requires police presence. Yet, children are often unseen victims of domestic violence. In general, law enforcement agencies (i) are ill-equipped to identify the risks experienced by children; (ii) struggle to find alternative outcomes for children at risk other than removal or criminalization; (iii) do not use scientifically informed assessment tools which might improve their interactions with children; and (iv) inconsistently share data with other agencies in a timely manner. Moreover, gaps in criminal legal, child welfare, and family court responses to violence in the family create circumstances where children may fall through the cracks. Positive interventions in relation to domestic violence and children who suffer as a result of it should be viewed as a public priority. Improving responses to these issues should be reframed as (i) a way to reduce the amount of future violent crimes committed, and (ii) reduce the resource burden felt by public services. This commentary discusses the scope and scale of children’s exposure to domestic violence and child maltreatment and discusses international best practices that can serve as models to improve law enforcement’s response to children.