Russians’ Confidence in Police Grows a Little – Poll

Russian Police Officer file photo

MOSCOW. Nov 12 (Interfax) – Nothing changed with renaming of Russian militia into police, said 64% of 1,600 respondents polled by the Superjob.ru portal in late October. The opinion was expressed by 71% in a similar poll in 2011.

Ten percent believe there is a certain deterioration (8% last year), and 5% claim changes for the better (3% in 2011).

Twenty-one percent failed to answer the question (18% a year ago).

Most of the pessimists are men (14% as compared to 8% of women) and respondents older than 45 (14%). Optimists are people younger than 35 (6%). Women tend to abstain from answering the question (24%) or see no change (64%).

Judging by the survey, confidence in the police is growing but not rapidly. Thirty-six percent of Russians trust the police (30% last year), most of them are women (40%) and respondents younger than 24 (42%).

The majority has no faith in the police (64% now and 70% a year ago), mostly men (68%) and respondents aged from 35 to 44 (42%).

The Day of Russian (Soviet) Militia was marked on November 10 until the Police Law entered into force on March 1, 2011. A presidential ordinance of October 13, 2011, established a new holiday, the Day of Law Enforcement Officers.

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