Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World
Newsletters Press Donate My Account Contacted By Us?
Pew Research Center Logo

Read our research on: Gun Policy | International Conflict | Election 2024

Pew Research Center Logo
Research Topics
All PublicationsMethodsShort ReadsTools & ResourcesExpertsAbout
Topics
Politics & PolicyInternational AffairsImmigration & MigrationRace & EthnicityReligionAge & GenerationsGender & LGBTQ
Family & RelationshipsEconomy & WorkScienceInternet & TechnologyNews Habits & MediaMethodological ResearchFull topic list
Regions & Countries
Asia & the PacificEurope & RussiaLatin AmericaMiddle East & North AfricaNorth AmericaSub-Saharan AfricaMultiple Regions / Worldwide
Formats
FeaturesFact SheetsVideosData Essays
Research Topics
Topics
Politics & PolicyInternational AffairsImmigration & MigrationRace & EthnicityReligionAge & GenerationsGender & LGBTQFamily & RelationshipsEconomy & WorkScienceInternet & TechnologyNews Habits & MediaMethodological ResearchFull topic list
Regions & Countries
Asia & the PacificEurope & RussiaLatin AmericaMiddle East & North AfricaNorth AmericaSub-Saharan AfricaMultiple Regions / Worldwide
Formats
FeaturesFact SheetsVideosData Essays
All PublicationsMethodsShort ReadsTools & ResourcesExpertsAboutNewslettersPressMy AccountContacted By Us?
DONATE

Read our research on: Gun Policy | International Conflict | Election 2024

Home Research Topics Other Topics Occupational Groups Police
Pew Research CenterJanuary 6, 2017
2. Inside America’s police departments

Police offer mixed support for their agency’s top leadership

← Prev Page
Page6Page7Page8Page9Page10Page11Page12Page13You are reading page14Page15Page16
Next Page →
Police offer mixed support for their agency’s top leadership

Post Infographics

2. Inside America’s police departments
About four-in-ten officers say they are formally or informally expected to meet a certain number of arrests or tickets
Most officers favor a requirement to intervene when another officer is about to use unnecessary force
More police worry their fellow officers will not act quickly enough than worry they will act too quickly
About a third of officers say, when put to the test, use-of-force guidelines in their department are very useful
Officers in larger agencies less likely to say their department has trained and equipped them very well
About four-in-ten officers say their department has done very well in training them adequately for their job
Most officers say their department has too few officers to police the community
For minor mistakes, more officers today agree coaching is used vs. punishment
For assignments and promotions, about four-in-ten female officers say men are treated better than women
In 2013, racial and ethnic minorities accounted for about a quarter of the police force and women made up about one-in-eight police officers
About half of black officers say whites are treated better than minorities in assignments and promotions
About half of officers say they are hardly ever or never asked for input about decisions that will affect them
Most officers say they are treated with respect by their supervisor
Police offer mixed support for their agency’s top leadership
Officers in smaller agencies more likely to agree that their agency’s disciplinary process is fair
A majority of officers are satisfied with their agency as a place to work

Pew Research Center
1615 L St. NW, Suite 800
Washington, DC 20036
USA
(+1) 202-419-4300 | Main
(+1) 202-857-8562 | Fax
(+1) 202-419-4372 | Media Inquiries

Research Topics
Politics & PolicyInternational AffairsImmigration & MigrationRace & EthnicityReligionAge & GenerationsGender & LGBTQ
Family & RelationshipsEconomy & WorkScienceInternet & TechnologyNews Habits & MediaMethodological ResearchFull topic list
Follow Us
Email Newsletters Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube RSS

About Pew Research Center Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. It conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, media content analysis and other empirical social science research. Pew Research Center does not take policy positions. It is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts.

Copyright 2025 Pew Research Center About Terms & Conditions Privacy Policy Cookie Settings Reprints, Permissions & Use Policy Feedback Careers