[Social Environmental Influences on Individual Reporting Behavior]

By

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to thank to my supervisor supporting me throughout my project and giving his valuable suggestions. Finally thanks to all my friends and family for their utmost support and inspiration.

DECLARATION

I, (Your name), would like to declare that all contents included in this dissertation stand for my individual work without any aid, & this dissertation has not been submitted for any examination at academic as well as professional level previously. It is also representing my very own views & not essentially which are associated with university.

Signed __________________ Date _________________

Table of Contents

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTII

DECLARATIONIII

INTRODUCTION1

Police Reporting Behavior4

LITERATURE REVIEW7

Collective Efficacy10

The paradigm of quality police services31

Methods33

Data Set33

Procedure34

Limitations/delimitations36

Ethical Considerations39

REFERENCES40

INTRODUCTION

It is an undeniable fact that justice is a basic pillar of a democratic state. Ensuring speedy justice to the people of a nation is the prime responsibility of the government. People need to be adequately represented in the justice system and their voices heard and given importance to. People look up to the law enforcement agencies to answer their woes, listen to their plight and guarantee speedy action. However, one simultaneously needs to keep in mind that the process of fair justice lies equally importantly, in the hands of the citizens also. For perpetrators to be punished, crime reporting becomes essential most of the times. The victims of crimes, or even people not directly affected by them play an important role in reporting crimes, and take part in the justice system. The participation of the common public is very necessary and of great consequence in assisting the police.

However, crime reporting behavior is also affected by many societal and cultural factors. This is a separate field worth of much research and deliberation. Our present study would take into account the crime reporting behavior of the U.S citizens. Also, how far our people affected or influenced by the social and environmental influences while reporting a crime will also be taken into account. What factors necessitate the reporting of a crime. And most importantly, why do people chose not to report crimes would be deliberated upon. The relationship between the masses and the police is of a very critical nature. The public's trust or lack of it greatly determines the effectiveness of the justice system. Therefore, the crime reporting behavior becomes of great consequence as it manifests itself in terms of the level of trust the police has in the eyes of the public. If the public trusts, the police, it is more likely to report crimes. Other important factors could be the level of patriotism and collective responsibility among the people as well as the potential benefits they might earn at reporting crimes. Victims will be more likely to trust the police, if they have faith in the efficiency of that particular institution. And they feel their account will be paid attention to, and the criminals will be brought to justice, without putting their safety at risk.

However the dilemma faced in most of the countries is most crimes go unreported, and consequently ...