- Sputnik International
World
Get the latest news from around the world, live coverage, off-beat stories, features and analysis.

Trust Me I'm a Police Officer: More Than Half of US Citizens Say No!

© AP Photo / Jason DeCrow, FileIn this Dec. 4, 2014, file photo, police make arrests after protesters rallying against a grand jury's decision not to indict the police officer involved in the death of Eric Garner attempted to block traffic at the intersection of 42nd Street and Seventh Avenue near Times Square, in New York
In this Dec. 4, 2014, file photo, police make arrests after protesters rallying against a grand jury's decision not to indict the police officer involved in the death of Eric Garner attempted to block traffic at the intersection of 42nd Street and Seventh Avenue near Times Square, in New York - Sputnik International
Subscribe
Their motto may be to protect and to serve, but as a poll conducted for Sputnik News found out, over half the country doesn't trust US police to do either of those things.

Obama to Create Task Force for Communities to Gain Trust in US Police - Sputnik International
Obama to Create Task Force for Communities to Gain Trust in US Police
MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Police brutality combined with a lack of justice has caused a deep divide between America's police and its citizens, with only 46 percent of the country placing their trust in the police for protection, according to a poll conducted by the ICM Research exclusively for Sputnik News Agency.

Twenty-one percent of respondents claimed that the Second Amendment to the US Constitution, that protects the right to keep and bear arms, is the main factor ensuring their security.

Meanwhile, 12 percent of respondents named fire departments the main source of safety and security in the United States.

The ICM Research poll was based on more than 1,000 telephone interviews with adults representing different national and ethnic groups in the United States.

St. Louis County Prosecutor's Office photo shows Ferguson, Missouri police officer Darren Wilson - Sputnik International
Legal Expert Not Surprised US Justice Dept Not Charging Ferguson Policeman
In recent months, police forces in the United States have been strongly criticized for their repeated excessive use of force, particularly in the wake of mass protests that came in response to a series of killings of unarmed black citizens by police officers.

Police forces reportedly used armored vehicles, high-technology weaponry and stun grenades to against the crowds.

Following the demonstrations, the US Justice Department concluded that in many states, police use excessive and unnecessary force far too often, endangering the public and their colleagues.

The Sputnik.Polls international public opinion project was launched in July 2014 in collaboration with the United Kingdom's ICM Research. As part of the Sputnik.Polls project, the Rossiya Segodnya International Information Agency conducts regular public opinion surveys across Europe and the United States on the most pressing social and political issues.

 

Black & White: African-Americans Don't Trust Cops

Only 33 percent of African-Americans residing in the United States feel protected by law enforcement officials, a poll conducted by the ICM Research exclusively for Sputnik News Agency revealed.

Obama: US Has ‘More Work to Do’ on Race Relations - Sputnik International
Obama: US Has ‘More Work to Do’ on Race Relations
Meanwhile, 19 percent of African-Americans claim that they are protected by so-called Neighborhood Watch programs that bring citizens together to deter crime in local communities.

ICM Research conducted over 1,000 telephone interviews with adults representing different national and ethnic groups in the United States over the period of December 5-17 last year.

The respondents could choose one of nine responses to the following question: "Thinking about law enforcement in the US, who do you feel protects you most?" The answers included: "Police or sheriff," "2nd Amendment to the US Constitution," "Fire department," "State troopers," "Neighborhood watch," "Other law enforcement agency," "I do not feel protected by any of these," and "I do not know the answer."

A policeman and member of the National Guard detain a man - Sputnik International
US Religious Leaders to Host Forum on Race, Police Killings
Over the past two years, most notably in 2014, cases of killings of African-American citizens by US police officers have reignited public debate over police brutality and racism, sparking a wave of mass protests and riots across the country, which were fueled by the decisions of grand juries not to indict the police for killing the unarmed black men.

The Sputnik.Polls international public opinion project was launched in July 2014 in collaboration with the United Kingdom's ICM Research. As part of the Sputnik.Polls project, the Rossiya Segodnya International Information Agency conducts regular public opinion surveys across Europe and the United States on the most pressing social and political issues.

© REUTERS / Elijah NouvelageAmanda Ashe of Oakland, left, faces off with a police officer during the second night of demonstrations in Emeryville, California, following the grand jury decision in the shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri
Amanda Ashe of Oakland, left, faces off with a police officer during the second night of demonstrations in Emeryville, California, following the grand jury decision in the shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri - Sputnik International
1/5
Amanda Ashe of Oakland, left, faces off with a police officer during the second night of demonstrations in Emeryville, California, following the grand jury decision in the shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri
© REUTERS / Mike SegarDemonstrators carrying signs sit down on a bridge leading to LaGuardia Airport during a protest march in New York, January 15, 2015
Demonstrators carrying signs sit down on a bridge leading to LaGuardia Airport during a protest march in New York, January 15, 2015 - Sputnik International
2/5
Demonstrators carrying signs sit down on a bridge leading to LaGuardia Airport during a protest march in New York, January 15, 2015
© REUTERS / Adrees LatifA sign posted near the site of a shooting is seen in the Bronx borough of New York January 6, 2015
A sign posted near the site of a shooting is seen in the Bronx borough of New York January 6, 2015 - Sputnik International
3/5
A sign posted near the site of a shooting is seen in the Bronx borough of New York January 6, 2015
© AP Photo / John MinchilloA demonstrator chants during a rally in downtown Manhattan in New York, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014, during the Justice for All rally and march. In the past three weeks, grand juries have decided not to indict officers in the chokehold death of Eric Garner in New York and the fatal shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo. The decisions have unleashed demonstrations and questions about police conduct and whether local prosecutors are the best choice for investigating police
A demonstrator chants during a rally in downtown Manhattan in New York, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014, during the Justice for All rally and march - Sputnik International
4/5
A demonstrator chants during a rally in downtown Manhattan in New York, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014, during the Justice for All rally and march. In the past three weeks, grand juries have decided not to indict officers in the chokehold death of Eric Garner in New York and the fatal shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo. The decisions have unleashed demonstrations and questions about police conduct and whether local prosecutors are the best choice for investigating police
© REUTERS / Jim YoungA woman stops to visit the memorial set up where Michael Brown was shot and killed in Ferguson, Missouri, November 22, 2014
A woman stops to visit the memorial set up where Michael Brown was shot and killed in Ferguson, Missouri, November 22, 2014 - Sputnik International
5/5
A woman stops to visit the memorial set up where Michael Brown was shot and killed in Ferguson, Missouri, November 22, 2014
1/5
Amanda Ashe of Oakland, left, faces off with a police officer during the second night of demonstrations in Emeryville, California, following the grand jury decision in the shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri
2/5
Demonstrators carrying signs sit down on a bridge leading to LaGuardia Airport during a protest march in New York, January 15, 2015
3/5
A sign posted near the site of a shooting is seen in the Bronx borough of New York January 6, 2015
4/5
A demonstrator chants during a rally in downtown Manhattan in New York, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014, during the Justice for All rally and march. In the past three weeks, grand juries have decided not to indict officers in the chokehold death of Eric Garner in New York and the fatal shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo. The decisions have unleashed demonstrations and questions about police conduct and whether local prosecutors are the best choice for investigating police
5/5
A woman stops to visit the memorial set up where Michael Brown was shot and killed in Ferguson, Missouri, November 22, 2014
Newsfeed
0
To participate in the discussion
log in or register
loader
Chats
Заголовок открываемого материала