Police Perceptions of Maori - Rethinking Crime and Punishment

Introduction
In New Zealand, surveys of perceptions of the police show that Maori have less
favourable views than non Maori (MRL, 1993, 1995a, 1995b). The 1995 MRL survey
showed that most people, including most Maori respondents, had generally positive
views of the police. On the other hand when the results for Maori and those of
European ancestry were compared, it was apparent that Maori were somewhat less
likely to have favourable impressions of the police, to have trust and confidence in
them, to see them as approachable or to be satisfied with the service they gave. Maori
were also less likely than those of European ancestry to report that the police deal
impartially with all people regardless or race, class or gender and to investigate
complaints against their own staff impartially and fairly.
A number of other studies canvassing the views of Maori have also reported the
general belief among Maori that the police behave more negatively towards Maori
offenders (Workman et al cited in NZ Police/Te Puni Kokiri, 1997; Jackson, 1989; Te
Tika Whainga, 1986). Jackson, for instance, refers to widespread Maori perceptions
that police over-proscecute and harrass young Maori males. He cites allegations of
assaults in custody and humiliating treatment of Maori and suggests that the
consequence of targeted policing strategies in particular areas is to amplify the amount
of recorded crime among Maori. He suggests that both differential policing and
institutional racism are features of Maori experience of policing (pp 112-127) .
Overseas research frequently points to negative attitudes, discriminatory behaviour and
racist abuse within the police towards ethnic minorities and indigenous peoples (Chan,
1997; Gelsthorpe, 1993; Belsen, 1975). At the same time, the overseas studies show
that ethnic minorities perceive the police negatively and as discriminatory (Smith &
Gray, 1985; Reiner, 1994; Gelsthorpe, 1993).
Within New Zealand, there is a lack of empirical research on police attitudes and
perceptions of Maori or other minority or ethnic groups. One exception to this is a
study by Dance (1987). He found that police perceptions of Maori were generally
negative. However, using set narratives where the offender was implied to be Maori or
non Maori, Dance reported no significant differences in police decision-making. This
finding, which contrasts with the observational studies from overseas, could be a result
of methodological differences.
The research reported here was designed to examine further police views on their own
behaviour and attitudes to Maori. It aims to establish the extent to which police
attitudes are likely to impact on police practice and aims to assess likely responses to
the systemic changes in building responsiveness to Maori planned as part of Policing
2000 (NZ Police, 1997).
The most reliable and appropriate methods of assessing discriminatory behaviour
involve observing police actions (as was done in London by Smith & Gray, 1985).
However, such methods are costly. The alternative of surveying the police themselves
using a postal questionnaire has been chosen here as one that is relatively economic
and likely to provide useful information on the research questions. However, caution
is necessary in relying on self reported behaviour of police as an accurate guide to what
they themselves or others in the police service actually do.
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