The Dual Role of Victim Emotions and Police Officer Empathy in Satisfaction With Police Encounters

Research shows that individuals who come into contact with the police are often experiencing a host of emotional reactions after being the direct victim or witness to a crime or perceived as a suspect with some level of criminal involvement. While previous research indicates that factors related to procedural justice influence satisfaction with a police encounter, less attention has been paid to how officers meet the emotional needs of victims after their victimization experience. Increasingly police agencies are including modules on treating individuals with respect and empathy as part of their training curricula. This paper examines the emotional reactions of individuals after their interactions with police and how the actions of the police officer to meet these needs effect their overall satisfaction with the encounter.