What are some consequences of a lack of public trust in law enforcement?

• A. Public trust has no effect on crime.
• B. People may be less likely to report crimes, leading to increased crime and a sense of insecurity.
• C. Police budgets automatically increase.
• D. Crime decreases because of public distrust.

Answer: (B)

Public trust matters because it directly affects whether people will report crimes and cooperate with investigations. When trust is low, residents may hesitate to contact police, share information, or testify, which makes it harder for officers to detect, solve, and deter offenses. That gap in reporting and cooperation can allow criminals to operate with less risk, increasing actual crime and elevating the public’s sense of insecurity. In short, distrust weakens the feedback loop that helps keep communities safe and undermines perceived safety.

Other choices don’t fit because trust does influence crime dynamics, so saying it has no effect isn’t accurate. Police budgets aren’t determined automatically by levels of public trust; funding depends on many factors, including policy decisions and resources. And distrust does not cause crime to decrease—more often it correlates with reduced reporting and accountability, which can allow crime to persist or grow.