Our ambivalent relationship with the police
An article in today's Observer newspaper paints a worrying picture.
I'm quoted in the article, noting that “When the police appear unresponsive or indifferent, it corrodes public confidence and feeds cynicism”.
Policing across the UK, as in any country, faces major challenges, including systemic racism and misogyny, violence towards suspects, and corruption.
But the importance of getting the mundane, day-to-day stuff right - responding promptly and professionally to crime reports, dealing compassionately and empathetically with members of the public, and so on - is often overlooked.
The result is an ambivalent attitude towards the police among citizens: an expectation that the police should act with professionalism and integrity. A suspicion that these expectations will often not be met. This breeds the cynicism I mentioned to The Observer.
Given the police's huge social power - they are one of the few public institutions with the legal right to detain, assault and, indeed, kill fellow citizens - this is a major political problem.