Public opinion on the police activity: research practice

The article deals with the problem of studying public opinion as the main criterion of effective police activity. The authors draw attention to the first results of the reform, the level of people's trust in police, the problems which led to decreasing police status among civil population.The article provides results of empirical sociological research carried out with the participation of the authors. The survey of opinions on the police activity as institution of civil society in Russia shows that this activity should be more oriented on coordination and constructive cooperation between society and police officers. The article shows how public opinion influences the regulatory and administrative functions of police and highlights the stages of reforms implemented in power departments. The authors conclude that the analysis of public opinion is an important condition for the formation of the legal democratic society.