When Trust is Fragile, Curiosity Matters

I’ve been thinking a lot about the moment we’re in right now when it comes to policing — the headlines, the politics, the fear, the anger. Not every community is touched by this, of course, but what is going on nationally - from intensified immigration enforcement to the military occupation of cities - including Washington, DC, where I’m writing you from - does influence how the public sees law enforcement. And, it strains the fragile community trust that officers work to foster every day in service of public safety.

As we know, trust between community and law enforcement is essential. Without it, cooperation breaks down and safety becomes harder to achieve. 

The challenge is that perceptions of mistrust spread like wildfire. In psychology and conflict theory, we talk about “negativity dominance,” part of our survival response that leads us to give negative perceptions more attention than positive ones. And negative perceptions - no matter where we stand - are taking over. 

I encountered a small but powerful example just this week. As schools are starting back up here in DC, I was invited to a community-led safety initiative for families. The goal was simple and positive — to make sure kids got to and from school safely. But instead of encouraging partnership with law enforcement, the guidance explained how to protect yourself from law enforcement. 

In this moment, the good work officers are doing to ensure community safety and accountability can feel overshadowed by national politics, viral videos, and public anxiety. But I want to emphasize that in each interaction, there is still opportunity. When emotions run high, the curiosity embedded in Insight Policing skills can help you have an interaction that turns the negative into positive, and can help you preserve trust while doing the work of public safety. 

Getting curious in the face of conflict, listening for the concerns behind resistance, and using your expertise to find solutions that achieve your objectives while addressing those concerns strengthen legitimacy and encourage cooperation. One encounter at a time, you’re in control of the narrative, not public perception.