By Amanda Spence
DENVER — Veritone recently announced the results of its second annual nationwide Transparency and Trust Report, which focuses on the relationship between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve. The report includes nearly 3,000 responses.
“Looking back on media headlines, 2020 and 2021 were a time of uncertainty and division across the country, particularly between civilians and law enforcement, with mass protests and calls to reform, defund, or even abolish the police force,” said Jon Gacek, general manager of aiWARE Enterprise, Veritone. “With comparisons from last year’s findings, we have an opportunity to measure just how far the needle has moved one way or the other. Most importantly, it can inform us as to what can be done to unite us.”
Important takeaways from the report include:
- Law enforcement should remain focused on deterring violent crime: 84% of respondents want cops to focus on responding to violent crimes.
- The majority support LEOs and think policing has become harder: 70% think being a cop in the U.S. has become harder over the last five years. In addition, 62% think policing has become politically polarized, and 61% think it’s possible to support law enforcement and be against racism.
- New technology can improve trust and transparency: This year’s results determined that the less understanding people have about law enforcement technology, the less likely they are to trust the technology or the police to use it the proper way. Those familiar with such technology are 81% more likely to have trust in it.
- Communities need additional education when it comes to policing: 25% don’t have or don’t want to say their opinion on questions about policing and technologies for LEOs. This could potentially mean the public needs more information.
Read the full report here.