03/01/06

Peoria Police Earn High Marks in Citizen Survey

The Peoria Police Department has just received the results of their 2005 Resident Survey, which was conducted by volunteers to acquire data on resident satisfaction with the job being done by the Police Department, the perceived seriousness and importance of various areas of police work, and levels of trust and contact with the Police Department.  The survey was overseen and analyzed by Margaret Kenski, Ph.D., of Arizona Opinion.  Dr. Kenski is available to address the media regarding Peoria’s survey, and can be reached at (520) 297-2019.

The Department received positive ratings from nearly nine in ten Peoria residents for the overall job it is doing, and drew positive ratings for its work from a majority of residents in each of nine specific areas.  Six in ten Peoria residents saw no change in the level of crime in their neighborhood over the last year or so. 

By far, Peoria residents cite traffic concerns as the biggest issue they face.  Over half of the respondents saw traffic as being a very or somewhat serious problem.  The next closest problem was auto theft, with one in four respondents seeing it as a serious problem. 

The Peoria Police Department received excellent feedback when it came to the issue of trust, with over 90% of Peoria residents expressing they have a great deal or quite a lot of trust in the Peoria Police Department. About three in eight Peoria residents report telephone or personal contact with a Peoria police officer during the past years, and just over 15% report contact with a civilian member of the Department.  In both cases, a vast majority or residents who have had contact report that the service was excellent or good.

A rule-of-thumb measurement says that any government agency getting negative ratings from 20% or less is doing well.  The Peoria Police Department far exceeds this standard.  The bottom line is that Peoria residents trust their Police Department and believe they receive good service.  The Department is pleased with the results of this survey, which reinforce the positive relationship it has with the community. Despite rapid growth, the Department continues to emphasize quality service in all dealings with the public.

The entire survey document is being sent with this media release. Please contact Jay Davies, Community Services Supervisor, with any additional questions.

"Our Community, Our Commitment"