New Survey Results About Perceptions of Police Activities in America

New report details results from Policing in America Survey by Race and Ethnicity in Cook County, Illinois and Dallas County, Texas

WASHINGTON, D.C.– Today, the initial survey data from the Policing in America Project were released in a report titled, “Perceptions of Police Activities: Results from the Policing in America Survey by Race and Ethnicity in Cook County, Illinois and Dallas County, Texas.” The de-identified dataset is freely accessible as open data on data.world.

The Policing America Project surveyed residents in portions of two large metropolitan areas in the United States about public perceptions and experiences with the police: Cook County, Illinois, in the Chicago metropolitan area and Dallas County, Texas, in the Dallas metropolitan area. The goal of the survey is to describe experiences and perspectives about police activities by race and ethnicity.

The Policing in America Project is an effort to produce new, relevant data about the perspectives of the American people on public safety and law enforcement. The household survey data, combined with open data assets, offers an opportunity for unique insights that connect perceptions with on-the-ground practices in cities across the United States.  

The Policing in America Project was launched by the Data Foundation in partnership with Microsoft, data.world, Spot Crime, Forward Cities. The survey was administered by NORC at the University of Chicago.

The report outlines seven recommendations for how federal, state, and local authorities can work with the evidence-building community to ensure our country has needed information and evidence to improve safety for the American people. In addition to the recommendations the report details a number of key findings, including:  

Black and Hispanic residents were less likely than white residents to feel safe in their neighborhood.

Black and Hispanic residents were more likely to witness police misconduct than white residents.

Black and Hispanic residents were more likely than white residents to expect police to use force during the majority of arrests.

No differences by race and ethnicity in residents' intentions for using 911.

A second report for the Policing in America Project in 2021 will explore the relationship between the variables presented here and incorporate additional data sources for an extended analysis. Additional details about the project and opportunities for contributing are available at www.datafoundation.org/policing-in-america. Learn more about the report, join the webinar on Wednesday, June 30, at 2:00 p.m. EDT. 

How to cite:
Research publications that use microdata from the Policing in America Project should cite as:

Data Foundation. Policing in America Project: Version 1 [dataset]. Chicago, IL: National Opinion Research Center, 2021.

Media articles and other publications should attribute the Policing in America Project  as:

Policing in America Project, conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago for the Data Foundation

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About the Data Foundation: The Data Foundation is a non-profit think tank based in Washington, D.C. that seeks to improve government and society by using data to inform public policymaking. The Data Foundation’s research and educational activities proactively and rapidly address relevant, emerging data-related needs in the country with the goal of devising realistic solutions, accelerating policy coordination, and advancing innovation. The Data Foundation values diversity and transparency in pursuit of an equitable, data-informed society.

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Forward Cities is a Black-led national nonprofit equipping communities and regions to grow and sustain more equitable entrepreneurial ecosystems. Our goal is that every entrepreneur in the cities we work with, regardless of who they are, will have equitable opportunity and access to develop, launch, and grow a business that creates wealth for themselves, their family, and/or their community."

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NORC at the University of Chicago is an objective, non-partisan research institution that delivers reliable data and rigorous analysis to guide critical programmatic, business, and policy decisions. Since 1941, NORC has conducted groundbreaking studies, created and applied innovative methods and tools, and advanced principles of scientific integrity and collaboration. Today, government, corporate, and nonprofit clients around the world partner with NORC to transform increasingly complex information into useful knowledge.

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