Police perception of citizens and its impact on police effectiveness and behavior: A cross-cultural comparison between China and Ghana
Wu, G., & Boateng, F. (2019). Police perception of citizens and its impact on police effectiveness and behavior: A cross-cultural comparison between China and Ghana. Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies and Management. https://doi.org/10.1108/PIJPSM-07-2018-0099
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the similarities and differences in police
officers’ attitudes toward citizens between China and Ghana, and explore the extent
to which officers’ perceptions of citizens influence their effectiveness and behavior.
Design/methodology/approach
In total, 271 Chinese police officers were surveyed representing those attending in-service
training program at a national police university in China in 2014, and a random sample
of 145 Ghanaian police officers was surveyed in 2013, representing those from five
police districts in the Accra region of Ghana Police service.
Findings
Results revealed significant perceptual variations across the two countries. While
Ghanaian officers were found to have more favorable perceptions of citizens’ cooperation
and recognition, Chinese officers reported greater levels of citizens’ compliance
and disrespectfulness. Moreover, results indicated significant relationships between
officers’ attitudes and their sense of effectiveness and behavior in the two countries.
Research limitations/implications
This study is based on a convenient sample of Chinese police officers, which restricts
the generalizability of the results.
Practical implications
Findings offer insights for police administrators to reform the police with a focus
on improving police perceptions of citizens.
Originality/value
Although there are a few comparative studies that compare police attitudes toward
citizens between developing and developed countries, and between western democracies,
there is a profound lack of studies comparing these attitudes between developing/transitional
countries. This study is an initial attempt to identify variations in officers’ perceptions
of the public between two developing/transitional countries.