Underlying dimensions in young people's attitudes towards police weaponry in England: Some experiential influences from criminal victimization and police contact

Purpose. This study examines the influence of experiential variables, such as reported contacts with the police, upon attitudes towards the use of police weaponry in England and Wales. Method. A factor analysis (N = 605) of response to a specially developed questionnaire led to the identification of five underlying dimensions of public attitudes towards police weaponry. Further analyses explored the role of demographic and experiential variables in these attitudes. Results. Neither age nor sex were found to have a significant effect upon attitudes towards police weaponry, but specific experiential variables had a significant effect, notably respondents' personal experience of responsible or irresponsible behaviour by the police. For those participants who were themselves victims of crime, such experiences were important in altering their views of the police, whether positively or negatively. Trust in the police appeared to be a key mediating influence upon attitudes towards police weaponry. Conclusions. Experiential variables relating to perceptions of police behaviour and to actual contacts with police officers appear to be influential in forming attitudes towards police weaponry in England. The perceived character of response, assistance and support received from the police following criminal victimization were found to be significant predictors of favourable or unfavourable attitudes towards police weaponry, possibly through the mediation of increasing or decreasing trust in the police. Language: en