A recent survey by the Datafolha Institute, released on 21 December, revealed that 51% of Brazilians aged 16 or older fear the police more than they trust them, highlighting a deep-seated mistrust in law enforcement. In contrast, 46% expressed more trust than fear in the police. The findings mirror the results of a similar survey conducted in 2019, where 51% also reported fearing the police more than trusting them, while 47% expressed the opposite sentiment. These numbers indicate that public perception of the police has remained relatively unchanged in recent years.
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Details of the Survey
The Datafolha survey was conducted on 12 and 13 December, involving 2,002 participants aged 16 or older across 113 Brazilian cities. The survey has a margin of error of two percentage points in either direction and a 95% confidence level, underscoring the robustness of the findings.
Demographics Disparities
The survey revealed notable differences in perceptions of the police across gender and racial lines. Among men, 56% expressed trust in the police, compared to 45% of women. When broken down by race, the results highlight an even more stark divide: 59% of Black Brazilians reported fearing the police, compared to 45% of White Brazilians. These figures point to significant disparities in how different demographic groups experience law enforcement.
Awareness of Recent Cases
The survey also sought to understand the public’s awareness of recent cases of police violence in São Paulo. Among respondents:
– 63% were aware of these cases;
– 34% described themselves as well-informed;
– 25% as moderately informed;
– 4% as poorly informed;
– 37% were unaware of these incidents.
Police Violence in São Paulo
High-profile cases of police violence in São Paulo have significantly contributed to public distrust in law enforcement. Over the past four months, a series of incidents have brought the issue of police brutality to the forefront, creating a public security crisis for Governor Tarcísio de Freitas’s administration. These incidents include:
– August: A military police officer executed a suspect who had already surrendered, shooting him twice in the head.
– September: A police officer sprayed pepper spray directly into the face of a resident walking alone in a community.
– October: A woman was fatally shot during a confrontation between an off-duty officer and two criminals.
– November: A 4-year-old child was killed during a police operation in Santos. Later that month, a medical student was shot at close range after a minor traffic incident involving a police car. On November 3, a 26-year-old man was shot dead by a military officer in front of a supermarket for allegedly stealing four packets of soap.
– December: A military police officer threw a man off a bridge in another shocking display of excessive force.
Analysis:
The survey released by the Datafolha Institute highlights a profound and persistent crisis in the relationship between Brazilian society and its police forces, particularly in São Paulo, where recent incidents of police violence have further strained public trust. The finding that 51% of Brazilians fear the police more than they trust them underscores a crisis of legitimacy that has remained unresolved since 2019. This enduring distrust signals the urgent need for systemic reforms to address the underlying causes and restore the credibility of law enforcement institutions.
The disparities in perception based on gender and race are especially concerning. Higher levels of distrust among women and Black Brazilians reflect a deeply unequal experience with law enforcement, rooted in structural and historical inequities within the public security system.
Recent cases of police violence in São Paulo illustrate how individual acts of misconduct can escalate into institutional crises, further eroding the relationship between the police and the communities they serve. These events, marked by excessive use of force and perceived impunity, reinforce public fears and weaken the police’s ability to fulfill their mission effectively. To address this, there must be a firm political commitment to reforms, including rigorous, continuous training focused on human rights and accountability. Transparent investigations into misconduct, coupled with mechanisms to ensure justice, are essential to rebuilding trust.
Sources: G1; O Globo; CNN; A Folha de SP.
