Are police held to account? Survey shows Newfoundlanders and Labradorians aren't sure
A Royal Newfoundland Constabulary police car is shown in St. John's in a June 2020 photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sarah Smellie
ST. JOHN'S — A new poll released by Newfoundland and Labrador's Justice Department suggests the majority of respondents feel more unsafe now than they did five years ago.
The numbers were based on a survey of 4,485 people in more than 240 towns across the province.
Seventy-three per cent of respondents said they felt less safe now than five years ago, with 67 per cent believing drug trafficking was a common crime in their community.
Fifty-one per cent said the police were not effective at keeping their communities safe.
Meanwhile, respondents were split on whether they felt a complaint lodged against a police officer would be treated fairly.
Forty-four per cent said they were not confident such a complaint would get fair consideration, while 44 per cent said they were somewhat or very confident it would.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 26, 2025.
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