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National Law Enforcement Survey (NLES)

Improve community policing through data-driven insights

The National Law Enforcement Survey (NLES) from Polco is designed for law enforcement agencies seeking to enhance public trust, evaluate department performance, and guide community policing efforts through real, actionable data. NLES provides essential insights into how residents view safety, trust in law enforcement, and police-community relations, offering agencies a clear pathway to improve transparency, accountability, and service quality.

What is the NLES?

The National Law Enforcement Survey (NLES) is designed to capture resident feedback on critical aspects of public safety and law enforcement. By addressing topics like crime perception, police-community relations, and service satisfaction, the NLES helps departments understand community concerns and priorities.

With scientifically valid results, departments can compare their performance with national benchmarks, track progress over time, and identify opportunities to improve public trust and safety. The NLES empowers law enforcement agencies to build stronger relationships with their communities and promote effective, transparent policing.

Polco Platform - Benchmark Surveys - NLES

Key features of the NLES

Data-driven insights to strengthen police-community relations

Comprehensive community feedback

In-Depth Survey Design: The NLES asks a wide range of questions about community safety, police presence, crime prevention, and trust in law enforcement. This allows departments to receive detailed feedback on how residents view police services.

Representative Data: The NLES uses scientifically valid methods to ensure that the survey results reflect the opinions of the entire community, not just the most vocal voices. This offers reliable insights into the broader public sentiment.

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Benchmarking for law enforcement agencies

National Comparisons: By benchmarking survey results against other law enforcement agencies across the country, departments can see how their community engagement and public trust compare to national standards.

Track Progress Over Time: Conducting the NLES regularly allows departments to measure changes in public opinion and identify the success of new policies, programs, or outreach efforts.

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Customizable to address local needs

Tailored for Your Community: In addition to core questions, the NLES allows departments to add custom questions that address local issues such as specific crime trends, safety concerns, or recent community initiatives.

Focused Insights for Local Action: Whether focusing on transparency, response times, or neighborhood-specific concerns, the NLES provides data that helps agencies focus on areas most important to the community.

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Clear, actionable reporting

Visual Results for Easy Interpretation: NLES reports include clear, visually compelling charts, graphs, and dashboards that help leadership quickly identify trends and key findings in community feedback.

Expert Analysis and Recommendations: Each report comes with analysis from the National Research Center, helping departments translate data into actionable strategies that improve police-community relations.

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Multi-channel survey distribution

Reach More Residents: The NLES can be distributed through a combination of mailed invites and sharing the survey through targeted outreach channels, maximizing participation and ensuring that all segments of the community are heard.

Mobile-Friendly: The NLES is optimized for mobile devices, making it easy for residents to provide feedback wherever they are, increasing participation and engagement.

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Build trust in your community

Leverage the NLES to understand community concerns and improve public trust in law enforcement through data-driven decisions.

The key benefits of using the NLES

Build safer, more trusting communities

Enhance community outreach & engagement

The NLES provides data on how well the department engages with the community and offers insights into improving communication, outreach, and public participation in safety initiatives.

Strengthen public trust in law enforcement

By gathering feedback directly from residents, departments can better understand and address concerns, building trust and improving transparency in policing efforts.

Promote effective policing strategies

With insights from the community, departments can make informed decisions on resource allocation, patrol strategies, and crime prevention efforts to enhance overall public safety.

Improve police accountability and transparency

Regularly conducting the NLES helps departments assess their performance, hold themselves accountable to the community, and demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement.

Monitor changes in public perception over time

Use the NLES to track shifts in community sentiment, assess the impact of new policies, and ensure that your department remains responsive to the needs and concerns of residents.

Why you need the NLES

Building trust between law enforcement and the community is vital for effective policing and public safety. The National Law Enforcement Survey (NLES) helps police departments gather meaningful data directly from residents about their perceptions of safety, crime, and police performance. This feedback is essential for understanding how the community views its law enforcement agency and for identifying areas where improvements can be made.

With national benchmarking and the ability to customize the survey to local needs, the NLES provides police departments with a clear picture of how they are performing in the eyes of the public. By regularly conducting the survey, departments can monitor changes over time, assess the effectiveness of their initiatives, and foster stronger relationships with the community they serve. The NLES is a critical tool for building trust, transparency, and collaboration between law enforcement and the public.

Polco Platform - Benchmark Surveys - NLES

Promote effective and transparent policing

Use insights from the NLES to enhance police accountability, foster better communication, and promote safer, more engaged communities.