Policing the Police

Public Perceptions of Civilian Oversight in Canada

Bibliographic Data

ID18953531
AuthorsJihyun Kwon (0000-0002-5083-6979, corresponding author), Scot Wortley
Year2022
Volume12
Issue4
Pages644-668
Publication date2022-10-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueRace and Justice (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2153-3687 • E-ISSN: 2153-3687
PublisherSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/2153368720924560
OpenAlexW3028800511
LanguageEN
Citations received13
References cited19

We examine public perceptions of the police complaints system in Ontario, Canada, using results from a general population survey of Toronto residents. Most of our respondents have indicated that they would file a formal complaint if subject to police verbal abuse or brutality. Yet, a large proportion of these same respondents did not believe their complaint would be treated fairly. Consistent with the broader literature, these perceptions of unfair treatment are particularly widespread among Black respondents and those with low levels of confidence in local police. Despite decades of structural reforms, only few respondents indicated that they would report their complaint to a civilian police oversight agency explicitly tasked with reviewing police complaints. Regardless of racial background, most respondents nonetheless believe that police complaints should be investigated by independent (nonpolice) investigators. We conclude with a discussion of the recent legislative reform efforts that have taken place in the province

Complaint · Criminology · Environmental health · Legislature · Perception · Police brutality · Political science · Population · Sociology · Crime Patterns and Interventions · Criminal Justice and Corrections Analysis · Law · Medicine · Policing Practices and Perceptions · Psychology

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