Police Buildings: Do Looks Matter?

Some police department buildings strike observers as “welcoming,” while others seem intimidating or austere.  Research by Georgetown University Assistant Professor of Public Policy Andrea Headley finds that a police department’s appearance matters, that more welcoming structures are associated with more positive affect from citizens.  But race/ethnicity and prior arrest records moderate that relationship in interesting ways.  Learn how architectural design, landscape, and even signage can create lasting impressions and influence how citizens view the police. Recorded on July 9, 2024