Parsons Community Survey Results 2025

BACKGROUND

The Parsons Police Department has used community surveys for several years as a tool to measure citizen perceptions related to policing services, fear of crime, officer professionalism, transparency, and overall confidence in law enforcement.

In 2023, PPD conducted a federally funded, statistically robust community survey consisting of 137 questions mailed to all approximately 4,200 households in Parsons. A total of approximately 800 responses were received and analyzed independently by The Docking Institute of Public Affairs at Fort Hays State University. The results were publicly released and remain available on the City's website.

In 2024, PPD partnered with Police2Peace.org to conduct a shorter community survey using QR-code-based distribution that was widely promoted throughout the community. Despite fewer respondents, the findings were consistent with the 2023 survey, indicating strong community trust and support.

In November 2025, PPD conducted a third survey using an online, QR-based data collection method. This was modeled after the 2024 survey and was created by Officer Sean McCullough as part of his Capstone Project while attending Pittsburg State University. While the response count was lower (98 respondents), the survey was heavily advertised and designed to measure the same core indicators of police legitimacy and public confidence.

 
SURVEY FINDINGS (2023-2025)

Longitudinal Consistency

Across all three survey efforts, results demonstrate consistent and stable perceptions of the Parsons Police Department. Core findings include:

• High levels of trust in officers patrolling neighborhoods
• Strong perceptions of fair treatment regardless of race or background
• High comfort levels in contacting police with concerns
• Confidence that the department acts in the best interest of the community
• General satisfaction with police services

This consistency is significant because the surveys used different methodologies, instruments, and sampling approaches. Research indicates that when results remain aligned across varying methods, it is a strong indicator of genuine and durable public sentiment.

2025 Survey Highlights

Key findings from the 2025 survey include:

A majority of respondents selected the highest possible rating in trust, fairness, satisfaction, and approachability.
Over 70 percent of respondents reported recent contact with police, providing experiential context for responses.
Residents identified drug abuse, mental health issues, domestic violence, and theft as the most significant community concerns.
Nearly 80 percent of respondents believe the police department is addressing these issues appropriately, despite acknowledged staffing and resource limitations.
Qualitative comments expressed appreciation, understanding, and support for officers' work under challenging conditions.
 
INTERPRETATION OF RESPONSE RATE

The 2025 survey yielded fewer responses than prior surveys; however, established survey research indicates that response volume alone is not a reliable indicator of public satisfaction or dissatisfaction. Voluntary, online surveys without direct solicitation or incentives routinely experience lower participation rates.

Importantly:

• Lower response rates do not equate to lower public trust.
• Dissatisfied individuals are often more motivated to respond than satisfied individuals.
• The absence of sharply negative trends or polarization in the 2025 data, combined with strong alignment to prior surveys, supports the conclusion that community confidence has not eroded.
• The demographic composition of respondents-primarily long-term residents-further supports the credibility of the findings.

 
COMPARISON TO NATIONAL TRENDS

National research by Gallup and the Pew Research Center shows that public confidence in law enforcement nationally has fluctuated between approximately 45 and 55 percent in recent years, with many agencies struggling to achieve majority approval in fairness and transparency.

By comparison, Parsons' survey results consistently exceed national averages, particularly in legitimacy-related measures. While no formal national ranking system exists, the data indicate that the Parsons Police Department compares favorably to similarly sized agencies regionally and nationally.

 
CONCLUSION

Taken together, the 2023-2025 surveys demonstrate sustained community trust and legitimacy for the Parsons Police Department. Despite changing survey methods and national challenges facing policing, public confidence in PPD remains strong and stable.

These findings support continued investment in community-oriented, legitimacy-centered policing strategies and provide credible, research-supported assurance to elected officials and residents that the department maintains public trust.