To conduct this research, I will start with online research and library sources to analyze existing studies and public reports on perceptions of police in the Bay Area. This will include reviewing reports from organizations like the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC), local government publications, and academic articles that explore the relationship between law enforcement and community trust. I will focus on research that compares public perceptions with actual crime statistics, police performance data, and reports on community policing efforts. This will help me understand how perceptions of the police in the Bay Area have been shaped over time and whether they align with measurable outcomes like crime rates and response times​.

In addition to secondary research, I will engage in primary research by interviewing community members, local residents, and potentially community leaders to gather their views on law enforcement and their personal experiences. I will also conduct interviews with law enforcement officers to gain insight into how they perceive their role in the community and the challenges they face. To complement this, I will participate in a ride-along program with the SJPD to observe firsthand the dynamics between officers and the community, particularly focusing on how their interactions impact public perceptions. Additionally, I will analyze crime statistics and other relevant data to evaluate how the actual performance of law enforcement matches community expectations. My final product will include a research paper with statistical analyses, findings from community interviews, and observations from the ride-along, culminating in a presentation that provides a comprehensive view of public perception versus police performance in the Bay Area. The types of data I collect will include police time spent on administrative tasks and time spent on non-administrative tasks such as criminal work or traffic patrol.