One of the central questions behind BTL-COP is deceptively simple: how can trust between police and communities be measured in a meaningful and reliable way?
Trust is shaped by people’s experiences, relationships and perceptions, as well as the wider social context. Understanding how it changes over time is essential if we are to assess whether new approaches to community policing make a difference.
Looking at trust from both sides
Trust in community policing is a two-way relationship. Communities need to feel able to approach and engage with the police, while police officers also need to understand how communities experience that relationship.
BTL-COP’s Trust Measurement Framework examines both community trust in police and police trust in communities. It brings together research and practitioner perspectives to guide how the project will study trust across its pilot activities.
From measurement to understanding
The framework sets out an approach that combines surveys with interviews and focus groups. Looking at different forms of evidence over time will help the project explore how trust develops, what may affect it and how participants experience the project’s activities.
The framework will support evaluation across the BTL-COP pilot areas in London, Madrid, Valencia and Croatia. Its purpose is to help the consortium assess its approaches to strengthening relationships between police and communities and draw lessons that may be useful in other settings.
The Trust Measurement Framework deliverable is currently undergoing review. It is expected to be made publicly available on the BTL-COP Public Deliverables page in 2027, following approval.