Case Explained: Attitudes to policing and the wider law and order system – Legal Perspective

Public lacks confidence in the law and order system

The results show that while there is relatively higher trust in the people performing key law and order duties, there is substantial negativity towards the performance of the system more broadly.

For example, 62% of people in England and Wales say they trust ordinary police officers and judges to make the right decisions, this falls to 48% for senior police officers, suggesting greater public scepticism towards those seen as more responsible for the overall performance of the law and order system.

There’s a perception of senior officers as lacking direct experience within open ended responses of the survey, being disconnected or “out of touch” with frontline work, and having inappropriate internal cultures or promotion practices.

Concerns about leadership ability in senior positions, as well as transparency and competence, also come through strongly in these responses.

• “Because the most senior police officers don’t have any real experience of policing.” – 75, female, Yorkshire and Humber
• “Too many Chief Constables, boys club internally and little support for front line officers.” – 68, male, East of England
• “Because of numerous reports of inappropriate people in senior policing roles.” – 62, male, East Midlands
• “Police force is totally hampered by things that are not as important as the crimes committed against law abiding citizens. Top echelon police are all self important and out of touch.” –77, female, East of England
• “Because competent people in senior positions is fundamental to establishing the right culture and operational efficiency and effectiveness the whole police service.” – 87, male, South East
• “Woke Senior Officers.” – 81, male, Yorkshire and Humber
• “Because too many police are giving up early and they are recruiting youngsters to higher positions with little experience.” – 59, female, London
• “There are too many criminals hiding behind police uniforms from the top and throughout the ranks.” – 70, female, Wales