RT Article
T1 Public perceptions of facial recognition use by police in Canada
JF Policing and society
VO 35
IS 10
SP 1412
OP 1426
A1 O’Connor, Christopher D.
A1 Slane, Andrea 1964-
A1 Bouckley (Hill), Dallas
A1 Baker, Victoria
A2 Slane, Andrea 1964-
A2 Bouckley (Hill), Dallas
A2 Baker, Victoria
LA English
YR 2025
UL https://krimdok.uni-tuebingen.de/Record/1942057997
AB This study investigates public perceptions of facial recognition technology (FRT) employed by police to understand its implications for police-community relations. Despite the potential advantages of FRT in identifying suspects and vulnerable populations, research on its impact on public trust and police legitimacy is limited. Our analysis incorporates the results from a survey conducted with a representative sample from Toronto and surrounding areas, in Ontario, Canada, exploring comfort levels regarding various police uses of FRT. Findings reveal that public comfort varied depending on the context of FRT application; respondents largely approved of FRT for serious incidents or specific suspect identification, while also expressing discomfort with its use for minor incidents and/or more diffuse surveillance. Notably, comfort was higher when FRT applications demonstrated practical value, such as identifying missing persons. Secondly, positive attitudes toward the police were significantly linked to greater comfort with FRT usage. This research underscores the necessity of considering public perceptions as policing technologies and the policies that govern them evolve. As police services increasingly integrate FRT, understanding community attitudes becomes crucial for fostering trust and legitimacy in policing practices. Future research should further explore the nuances of public sentiment regarding technological innovations in policing, ensuring that community voices are integral to decision-making processes surrounding technological adoption and use.
K1 Trust
K1 Public perceptions
K1 Police
K1 Facial recognition technology
DO 10.1080/10439463.2025.2508192