International Journal of Comparative and Applied Criminal Justice, 2012
Public trust has become a critical issue in transitional societies, such as China and Taiwan, whe... more Public trust has become a critical issue in transitional societies, such as China and Taiwan, where the legitimacy and accountability of the government in general, and legal authorities in particular, have been frequently scrutinized. Based on nationwide random samples, this study tests the explanatory power of three theories, the social structural thesis, the institutional performance thesis, and the cultural thesis,
Page 1. ORIGINAL ARTICLE Preferences for Police Response to Domestic Violence: A Comparison of Co... more Page 1. ORIGINAL ARTICLE Preferences for Police Response to Domestic Violence: A Comparison of College Students in Three Chinese Societies Ivan Y. Sun & Yuning Wu & Lanying Huang & Yushen Lin & Jessica CM Li & Mingyue Su ...
Page 1. Chinese and American college students' preferences for police response to domest... more Page 1. Chinese and American college students' preferences for police response to domestic violence Ivan Y. Suna*, Jessica CM Lib and Yuning Wuc aDepartment of Sociology and Criminal Justice, University of Delaware, Newark ...
International Journal of Police Science & Management, 2009
ABSTRACT While a substantial amount of research has examined the motivation for individuals to be... more ABSTRACT While a substantial amount of research has examined the motivation for individuals to become police officers, very little is known about why Chinese citizens choose this profession. Using survey data collected from cadets in a Chinese police college, this study attempts to answer three questions: (1) who are the people that decide to become police cadets in China; (2) what are the factors that motivate cadets to choose the police profession, and (3) how do personal characteristics influence cadets' motivations to join the force? The results indicate that Chinese cadets in the sample are largely single, young males from middle-class families. They tended to have some college education while their parents were likely to have attained a lower educational level. Job security and benefits, the opportunity to help people, the desire to enforce the law, and parental influences were important factors that motivated police cadets at this institution to join the force. Cadets' background characteristics only weakly influenced the decision. Implications for policy and future research are discussed.
Although the September 11 attacks have drawn much law enforcement attention to Arab Americans, re... more Although the September 11 attacks have drawn much law enforcement attention to Arab Americans, research on Arab Americans' perceptions of police is almost nonexistent. Using survey data collected from 850 Arab Americans who resided in the Detroit metropolitan area, this study empirically examined the effects of demographic characteristics, personal experience, social attitudes and values, and social trust, of confidence in local police. The results indicated that the majority of Arab Americans had a great deal or a lot of confidence in police. Arab Americans' confidence in police was significantly related to their social attitudes and trust, such as conservative outlook, confidence in the legal system, respect for authority, and trust in neighbors. Arab Americans' background characteristics and experience had a weak effect on their confidence in police. More empirical research is warranted to assess Arab Americans' evaluations of local police along more indicators of police performance.
This article examines the development of policing in China over several historical periods. It co... more This article examines the development of policing in China over several historical periods. It consists of three major parts. The first section provides a brief historical review of Chinese policing before 1949 and between 1949 and 1977 with the emphasis on mass-line policing. The second section, which is the core of the study, discusses several broad dimensions associated with the so-called strike-hard policing and community policing adopted by the Chinese police since 1978. These pivotal areas include policies and laws, organizational structure and development, field practices and effectiveness, and police accountability and reform. The last section discusses critical issues for the future development of Chinese policing and specifies directions for future research on Chinese policing.
Abstract While the People's Armed Police (PAP) has existed in China for over 26 years, the f... more Abstract While the People's Armed Police (PAP) has existed in China for over 26 years, the force's operations, powers and duties have never been formally stipulated. On August 27, 2009, the People's Armed Police Law was passed by the National People's Congress. The PAP ...
While a considerable number of studies had been conducted to examine the effects of various varia... more While a considerable number of studies had been conducted to examine the effects of various variables on police behavior, very few studies had simultaneously analyzed factors that accounted both for police coercive and noncoercive behaviors. Equally limited is the research on the influences of officer characteristics and neighborhood context on police behavior controlling for all individual situational factors. Using observational
Domestic violence has emerged as a worldwide concern since the 1970s. Although a substantial amou... more Domestic violence has emerged as a worldwide concern since the 1970s. Although a substantial amount of efforts have been devoted to assessing various aspects of domestic violence, a relatively small number of studies have empirically examined factors that shape public attitudes toward police response to such incidents. Even rarer is investigating the topic from an international, comparative perspective. Based on survey data gathered from approximately 550 college students in China and the United States, this study analyzes the effects of background characteristics, personal and vicarious experiences of crime, and perceptions of gender roles and violence on attitudes toward proactive and traditional police response to domestic violence. Compared to their American counterparts, Chinese students were less likely to favor proactive response and more likely to support traditional response. Chinese and American students' attitudes toward police response to domestic violence were shaped by some different and common factors. Implications for policy and future research are discussed.
This study examined the influences of race, gender, and recent court experience on citizens’ perc... more This study examined the influences of race, gender, and recent court experience on citizens’ perceptions of the courts in their communities. Using national survey data collected in 2000, this research assessed variation in perceptions of the courts along four dimensions: differential treatment, fair procedure and outcome, concern and respect, and overall evaluation. The results showed that racial minorities, including Blacks and Latinos, were more likely than Whites to have negative attitudes toward the courts. While race is generally a better predictor than gender, the interaction between gender and race is important in understanding citizen’s perceptions of the courts. Citizens who have recent personal contact with the courts tend to rate the courts less favorable than those who have no recent contact. Citizens’ opinions of the police and equal opportunity are also significantly related to their perceptions of the courts. Implications for policy and future research are discussed.
Objective. We assessed the influences of political efficacy and political participation on public... more Objective. We assessed the influences of political efficacy and political participation on public perceptions of police trustworthiness in China. Methods. Drawing upon approximately 10,000 cases collected by the Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS), we used multivariate regression to assess the impact of two types of political efficacy, internal efficacy and external efficacy, and three forms of political participation, engaging in community affairs, grassroots election, and rightful resistance, on public trust in the police, controlling for demographics and social trust and justice. Results. We found that external efficacy and grassroots election are positively related to trust in the police, whereas internal efficacy and rightful resistance are negatively associated with such trust. Background characteristics, such as gender, ethnicity, age, education, and household registration, and social trust and justice variables are also predictive of Chinese perceptions of police trustworthiness. Conclusion. Political efficacy and participation mattered in influencing trust in the police. The Chinese government should continue its political reforms by allowing greater public participation in the selection of political representatives and the decision-making process of public policy.
Australian & New Zealand Journal of Criminology, 2012
ABSTRACT Trust in the police has emerged as a critical issue in China where the police have exper... more ABSTRACT Trust in the police has emerged as a critical issue in China where the police have experienced a crisis of legitimacy. Only a small number of studies, however, have empirically assessed Chinese citizens’ trust in the police. Moreover, the effects of citizens’ participation in social and political activity on evaluations of the police have rarely been investigated. Using survey data collected from over 3,500 Chinese citizens in eight cities, this study examines the impact of social capital and political participation on trust in the police, controlling for demographic characteristics, sense of safety, and locality. Trust in the leaders of neighborhood committees increased the likelihood of trust in the police. A sense of safety also raised the odds of trust in the police. Citizens’ trust in the police is also predicted by trust in neighbors, participation in political activity, and gender. Trust in the police varies across cities and is explained by some common and distinctive variables.
International Journal of Comparative and Applied Criminal Justice, 2012
Public trust has become a critical issue in transitional societies, such as China and Taiwan, whe... more Public trust has become a critical issue in transitional societies, such as China and Taiwan, where the legitimacy and accountability of the government in general, and legal authorities in particular, have been frequently scrutinized. Based on nationwide random samples, this study tests the explanatory power of three theories, the social structural thesis, the institutional performance thesis, and the cultural thesis,
Page 1. ORIGINAL ARTICLE Preferences for Police Response to Domestic Violence: A Comparison of Co... more Page 1. ORIGINAL ARTICLE Preferences for Police Response to Domestic Violence: A Comparison of College Students in Three Chinese Societies Ivan Y. Sun & Yuning Wu & Lanying Huang & Yushen Lin & Jessica CM Li & Mingyue Su ...
Page 1. Chinese and American college students' preferences for police response to domest... more Page 1. Chinese and American college students' preferences for police response to domestic violence Ivan Y. Suna*, Jessica CM Lib and Yuning Wuc aDepartment of Sociology and Criminal Justice, University of Delaware, Newark ...
International Journal of Police Science & Management, 2009
ABSTRACT While a substantial amount of research has examined the motivation for individuals to be... more ABSTRACT While a substantial amount of research has examined the motivation for individuals to become police officers, very little is known about why Chinese citizens choose this profession. Using survey data collected from cadets in a Chinese police college, this study attempts to answer three questions: (1) who are the people that decide to become police cadets in China; (2) what are the factors that motivate cadets to choose the police profession, and (3) how do personal characteristics influence cadets' motivations to join the force? The results indicate that Chinese cadets in the sample are largely single, young males from middle-class families. They tended to have some college education while their parents were likely to have attained a lower educational level. Job security and benefits, the opportunity to help people, the desire to enforce the law, and parental influences were important factors that motivated police cadets at this institution to join the force. Cadets' background characteristics only weakly influenced the decision. Implications for policy and future research are discussed.
Although the September 11 attacks have drawn much law enforcement attention to Arab Americans, re... more Although the September 11 attacks have drawn much law enforcement attention to Arab Americans, research on Arab Americans' perceptions of police is almost nonexistent. Using survey data collected from 850 Arab Americans who resided in the Detroit metropolitan area, this study empirically examined the effects of demographic characteristics, personal experience, social attitudes and values, and social trust, of confidence in local police. The results indicated that the majority of Arab Americans had a great deal or a lot of confidence in police. Arab Americans' confidence in police was significantly related to their social attitudes and trust, such as conservative outlook, confidence in the legal system, respect for authority, and trust in neighbors. Arab Americans' background characteristics and experience had a weak effect on their confidence in police. More empirical research is warranted to assess Arab Americans' evaluations of local police along more indicators of police performance.
This article examines the development of policing in China over several historical periods. It co... more This article examines the development of policing in China over several historical periods. It consists of three major parts. The first section provides a brief historical review of Chinese policing before 1949 and between 1949 and 1977 with the emphasis on mass-line policing. The second section, which is the core of the study, discusses several broad dimensions associated with the so-called strike-hard policing and community policing adopted by the Chinese police since 1978. These pivotal areas include policies and laws, organizational structure and development, field practices and effectiveness, and police accountability and reform. The last section discusses critical issues for the future development of Chinese policing and specifies directions for future research on Chinese policing.
Abstract While the People's Armed Police (PAP) has existed in China for over 26 years, the f... more Abstract While the People's Armed Police (PAP) has existed in China for over 26 years, the force's operations, powers and duties have never been formally stipulated. On August 27, 2009, the People's Armed Police Law was passed by the National People's Congress. The PAP ...
While a considerable number of studies had been conducted to examine the effects of various varia... more While a considerable number of studies had been conducted to examine the effects of various variables on police behavior, very few studies had simultaneously analyzed factors that accounted both for police coercive and noncoercive behaviors. Equally limited is the research on the influences of officer characteristics and neighborhood context on police behavior controlling for all individual situational factors. Using observational
Domestic violence has emerged as a worldwide concern since the 1970s. Although a substantial amou... more Domestic violence has emerged as a worldwide concern since the 1970s. Although a substantial amount of efforts have been devoted to assessing various aspects of domestic violence, a relatively small number of studies have empirically examined factors that shape public attitudes toward police response to such incidents. Even rarer is investigating the topic from an international, comparative perspective. Based on survey data gathered from approximately 550 college students in China and the United States, this study analyzes the effects of background characteristics, personal and vicarious experiences of crime, and perceptions of gender roles and violence on attitudes toward proactive and traditional police response to domestic violence. Compared to their American counterparts, Chinese students were less likely to favor proactive response and more likely to support traditional response. Chinese and American students' attitudes toward police response to domestic violence were shaped by some different and common factors. Implications for policy and future research are discussed.
This study examined the influences of race, gender, and recent court experience on citizens’ perc... more This study examined the influences of race, gender, and recent court experience on citizens’ perceptions of the courts in their communities. Using national survey data collected in 2000, this research assessed variation in perceptions of the courts along four dimensions: differential treatment, fair procedure and outcome, concern and respect, and overall evaluation. The results showed that racial minorities, including Blacks and Latinos, were more likely than Whites to have negative attitudes toward the courts. While race is generally a better predictor than gender, the interaction between gender and race is important in understanding citizen’s perceptions of the courts. Citizens who have recent personal contact with the courts tend to rate the courts less favorable than those who have no recent contact. Citizens’ opinions of the police and equal opportunity are also significantly related to their perceptions of the courts. Implications for policy and future research are discussed.
Objective. We assessed the influences of political efficacy and political participation on public... more Objective. We assessed the influences of political efficacy and political participation on public perceptions of police trustworthiness in China. Methods. Drawing upon approximately 10,000 cases collected by the Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS), we used multivariate regression to assess the impact of two types of political efficacy, internal efficacy and external efficacy, and three forms of political participation, engaging in community affairs, grassroots election, and rightful resistance, on public trust in the police, controlling for demographics and social trust and justice. Results. We found that external efficacy and grassroots election are positively related to trust in the police, whereas internal efficacy and rightful resistance are negatively associated with such trust. Background characteristics, such as gender, ethnicity, age, education, and household registration, and social trust and justice variables are also predictive of Chinese perceptions of police trustworthiness. Conclusion. Political efficacy and participation mattered in influencing trust in the police. The Chinese government should continue its political reforms by allowing greater public participation in the selection of political representatives and the decision-making process of public policy.
Australian & New Zealand Journal of Criminology, 2012
ABSTRACT Trust in the police has emerged as a critical issue in China where the police have exper... more ABSTRACT Trust in the police has emerged as a critical issue in China where the police have experienced a crisis of legitimacy. Only a small number of studies, however, have empirically assessed Chinese citizens’ trust in the police. Moreover, the effects of citizens’ participation in social and political activity on evaluations of the police have rarely been investigated. Using survey data collected from over 3,500 Chinese citizens in eight cities, this study examines the impact of social capital and political participation on trust in the police, controlling for demographic characteristics, sense of safety, and locality. Trust in the leaders of neighborhood committees increased the likelihood of trust in the police. A sense of safety also raised the odds of trust in the police. Citizens’ trust in the police is also predicted by trust in neighbors, participation in political activity, and gender. Trust in the police varies across cities and is explained by some common and distinctive variables.
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