This week I’m joined by Peter Moskos, professor of sociology at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and author of Cop in the Hood, In Defense of Flogging, and the forthcoming Back from the Brink: Inside the NYPD and New York City’s Extraordinary 1990s Crime Drop
Around the 7:40 mark, Peter made a vague and uncertain reference to the Pew Survey on trust in institutions. He said police are usually third most trusted behind Small Business and the Military. Maybe he was thinking of a different survey but the in the Pew Surveys, the Military, Medical Science and Science in general usually have ranked the highest. Police Officers and Public School Principles are a bit lower, but still relatively high. But then there is a significant drop off for Religious Leaders, followed by Journalists, followed by Business Leaders, followd by Elected Officials. No mention of small business. https://www.pewresearch.org/science/2024/11/14/trust-in-science-2024-appendix/
If he was thinking of a different survey, I am interested in the reference. If he misremembered the Pew Survey I will appreciate a clarification on behalf of my fellow scientists.
The difference between the Gallup and Pew survey results probably is related to how questions are asked and sampling approaches. There are notable similarities: high confidence for Military and Police and low confidence in jounralists and elected officials/Congress.
Thanks for interviewing Moskos. Good news from SF: New mayor Lourie’s #1 priority is public safety. He wants SFPD to be the best police department in the nation. Between Election Day and his inauguration last Wednesday, Lourie did homework by visiting each SF police station multiple times. Bad news: Eight or nine Walgreens pharmacies that are closest to me have closed or will close in February because of theft. Two of those are across the street from a hospital.
On whether Moskos should refute the claims made by anti-police activist officials and others, I am conflicted. I would welcome to discussion those who engage honestly and respectfully. But, I would not welcome those whose only interest is “to win the discussion.”
That was interesting. I want a "rule of laws, not men" and greatly fear the possible abuse of discretionary power by police to stop people. But at the same time, I *do* want a modicum of safety, and can't really argue with the utility of discretionary stops in avoiding crime.
How do you balance this? I suspect the Ferguson effect is very real, so micro-management is *not* the answer. Local control give the community some accountability. But I don't fully trust "community policing"; there's a risk of "legal" persecution of individuals considered "undesirable" by the community.
It's a hard problem. Particularly in a diverse society with minimal societal norms.
Thank you Glenn Loury for bringing up policeman Derek Chauvin, now serving a life sentence, after. being convicted in the George Floyd case. Fergusion Policeman Darren Wilson suffered a travesty of justice, but nothing compared to Chauvin. I was happy to listen to Peter Moskos straddle the political fence but still lean right on law and order. Police enforce all laws and even the most compliant risk-averse individual can't avoid compromise if they are to do their job. It takes courage and character. Police like teachers are the essence of a decent society and good police are a rarity. Good police leadership is like hens teeth. I was disgusted and appalled to hear Peter Moskos proffer a cowardly, unjust and one-eyed opinion of the Derek Chauvin conviction. I am a lawyer and I took an interest in the evidence and prosecution of Chauvin. Chavin is entirely innocent, and I challenge Glenn to look carefully into the matter. Like TDS so there is also Chauvin Derangment Syndrome ("CDS") and Moskos suffers from CDS. The USA has CDS and POTUS Trump knows it. I have faith that the truth will out.
(1): Why was the arresting officer not restraining Floyd?
(2): Someone sent me the Minneapolis police handbook that mentioned 2 restraint techniques as either/or. AG Ellison’s claim that “officers are supposed to use restraint only for 30 seconds and then switch to hobble” - seemed invented and ridiculous given the emergency nature of arrest in the field.
Around the 7:40 mark, Peter made a vague and uncertain reference to the Pew Survey on trust in institutions. He said police are usually third most trusted behind Small Business and the Military. Maybe he was thinking of a different survey but the in the Pew Surveys, the Military, Medical Science and Science in general usually have ranked the highest. Police Officers and Public School Principles are a bit lower, but still relatively high. But then there is a significant drop off for Religious Leaders, followed by Journalists, followed by Business Leaders, followd by Elected Officials. No mention of small business. https://www.pewresearch.org/science/2024/11/14/trust-in-science-2024-appendix/
If he was thinking of a different survey, I am interested in the reference. If he misremembered the Pew Survey I will appreciate a clarification on behalf of my fellow scientists.
After some additional googling, it seems Peter was probably referring to the Gallup survey, in which small business and the Military have more reported confidence than the police and science is not a separate category https://news.gallup.com/poll/647303/confidence-institutions-mostly-flat-police.aspx
The difference between the Gallup and Pew survey results probably is related to how questions are asked and sampling approaches. There are notable similarities: high confidence for Military and Police and low confidence in jounralists and elected officials/Congress.
Great interview! Thanks!
Thanks for interviewing Moskos. Good news from SF: New mayor Lourie’s #1 priority is public safety. He wants SFPD to be the best police department in the nation. Between Election Day and his inauguration last Wednesday, Lourie did homework by visiting each SF police station multiple times. Bad news: Eight or nine Walgreens pharmacies that are closest to me have closed or will close in February because of theft. Two of those are across the street from a hospital.
On whether Moskos should refute the claims made by anti-police activist officials and others, I am conflicted. I would welcome to discussion those who engage honestly and respectfully. But, I would not welcome those whose only interest is “to win the discussion.”
That was interesting. I want a "rule of laws, not men" and greatly fear the possible abuse of discretionary power by police to stop people. But at the same time, I *do* want a modicum of safety, and can't really argue with the utility of discretionary stops in avoiding crime.
How do you balance this? I suspect the Ferguson effect is very real, so micro-management is *not* the answer. Local control give the community some accountability. But I don't fully trust "community policing"; there's a risk of "legal" persecution of individuals considered "undesirable" by the community.
It's a hard problem. Particularly in a diverse society with minimal societal norms.
Thank you Glenn Loury for bringing up policeman Derek Chauvin, now serving a life sentence, after. being convicted in the George Floyd case. Fergusion Policeman Darren Wilson suffered a travesty of justice, but nothing compared to Chauvin. I was happy to listen to Peter Moskos straddle the political fence but still lean right on law and order. Police enforce all laws and even the most compliant risk-averse individual can't avoid compromise if they are to do their job. It takes courage and character. Police like teachers are the essence of a decent society and good police are a rarity. Good police leadership is like hens teeth. I was disgusted and appalled to hear Peter Moskos proffer a cowardly, unjust and one-eyed opinion of the Derek Chauvin conviction. I am a lawyer and I took an interest in the evidence and prosecution of Chauvin. Chavin is entirely innocent, and I challenge Glenn to look carefully into the matter. Like TDS so there is also Chauvin Derangment Syndrome ("CDS") and Moskos suffers from CDS. The USA has CDS and POTUS Trump knows it. I have faith that the truth will out.
Will, thanks.
(1): Why was the arresting officer not restraining Floyd?
(2): Someone sent me the Minneapolis police handbook that mentioned 2 restraint techniques as either/or. AG Ellison’s claim that “officers are supposed to use restraint only for 30 seconds and then switch to hobble” - seemed invented and ridiculous given the emergency nature of arrest in the field.