Youth’s trust in the police in modern Russia: Analysis of factors and strategies for strengthening

Olga V. Zueva, Cand. Sc. (Sociology), Docent, Deputy Head of the Department of Theory and Methodology of Public Administration at the Academy of Management of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, Moscow, https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1727-7279, e-mail: olgazueva-l@yandex.ru

The article is devoted to the problem of youth's trust in law enforcement agencies. The author notes that against the background of changes in social structures, increasing digitalization and increasing civic engagement, youth trust in the police is becoming a key indicator of the sustainability of democratic systems.

Based on the analysis of empirical studies, the author has identified the factors influencing the formation of youth confidence in the police. These include: the effectiveness of the functioning of the law enforcement institution, the personal experience of citizens interacting with police officers, the image of the police in the media, socio-economic factors. An analysis of the results of empirical research allowed the author to identify a key problem expressed in ignoring theoretical developments on the problem of youth's trust in the police. The article notes that in order to increase the confidence of young people in the police, it is necessary to review the research methods and tools used, as well as the active introduction of theoretical developments in the field of trust. A comprehensive study of the factors of youth's trust in the police will make it possible to develop effective strategies to strengthen trust in the police. The main directions of the strategy include: focusing police activities on the use of technology to increase transparency; effective communication and the formation of a positive public opinion.; development of educational programs and active dialogue with society; improvement of professional training of employees and implementation of anti-discrimination practices.

Keywords: citizens’ trust, police, institutional trust, factors of trust, public opinion, sociological research, public authorities, attitude towards law enforcement agencies

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