Public perceptions of facial recognition use by police in Canada
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 p...
| VerfasserInnen: | ; ; ; |
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| Medienart: | Elektronisch Aufsatz |
| Sprache: | Englisch |
| Veröffentlicht: |
2025
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| In: |
Policing and society
Jahr: 2025, Band: 35, Heft: 10, Seiten: 1412-1426 |
| Online-Zugang: |
Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) |
| Verfügbarkeit prüfen: | HBZ Gateway |
| Schlagwörter: |
| Zusammenfassung: | 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. |
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| ISSN: | 1477-2728 |
| DOI: | 10.1080/10439463.2025.2508192 |
