Work

‘Should I Call the Police?’ Exploring Public Views on Whether to Invoke Police in Incidents Involving People with Vulnerabilities

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This study explores people’s thresholds and reasons for calling the police in response to incidents invoking uncertainty. It draws upon focus group deliberations and a nationally representative survey in which participants were presented with scenarios invoking vulnerability via depictions of disorderly behaviour and potentially harmful activity. People want and expect police to respond rapidly in situations where vulnerable people are identified as presenting immediate risk, while also recognizing that follow-up intervention from specialized services may be necessary. When deciding to call the police, people think about the situational contingencies and readily available means by which an incident might be brought under control, rather than simply their opinions of the police. Distrust in and low expectations of police can be superseded by strategic recourse to police as a mechanism for restoring social order given their situationally justified capacity for force.

Source: The British Journal of Criminology

DOI: 10.1093/bjc/azaf118

Authors: David Rowlands, Christine A Weirich, Ben Bradford, Adam Crawford

Institutions: University of Leeds, University College London, University of York

Language: English

Topic: Policing Practices and Perceptions

Subfield: Political Science and International Relations

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $5,341