(NewsNation) — Americans’ confidence in the police is growing, while faith in major United States institutions in general remains historically low, according to an annual Gallup poll.
Overall confidence in the police rose from 43% in 2023 to 51% in 2024, poll results show. The eight-percentage-point jump marks the largest annual increase of any of the 17 institutions included in Gallup’s yearly update. Of those who expressed faith in the police, about 25% said they had “a great deal” of confidence, while 26% reported having “quite a lot.”
Confidence grew most among people aged 18 to 34 — up to 43% from 27% last year. Gallup also noted increased faith in police among people of color and political independents.
Americans’ confidence in the police has been hot and cold for the past several years.
Faith in the police dropped to 48% in 2020 after former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who is white, killed George Floyd, a 46-year-old Black Minnesota resident. The slaying, captured on video, sparked nationwide outrage and protests from activists calling for reform to end police violence.
Confidence in the police again rose to 51% in 2021 before slipping to 45% in 2022 and dropping to a record low last year.