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“The Calgary Police Service has a bit of a perception problem, a bit of a PR problem.

“It could be temporary, but it could also take a very long time to climb out of it.”

Maggi noted perception is often influenced by media coverage, and in the case of Calgary police, with several high-profile incidents prompting public criticism, the numbers aren’t necessarily surprising. Recent polls conducted by Mainstreet in Toronto and Saskatoon found approval levels for police in those cities at 69 per cent and 55 per cent, respectively.

Had Calgarians been asked a year ago, their opinions may have been even lower. The poll found 39 per cent of respondents say their opinions of the force improved over the last year, compared with 25 per cent that saw it diminish. Another 23 per cent said their opinion hadn’t changed.

While the approval numbers are a red flag for Maggi, respondents showed more confidence in the force when it came to the belief they’d be treated fairly if they were part of a police investigation, with 58 per cent suggesting they felt secure in how they would be treated. However, a full one-third expressed concerns they wouldn’t be treated fairly.

Just over half (51 per cent) felt police officers facing misconduct would be held accountable for their actions, with 29 per cent expressing doubt they would face repercussions and another 20 per cent unsure.

That number becomes particularly salient given the number of high-profile incidents that seemingly erupted a month after former chief Rick Hanson left his post last February. Since then, five officers have been charged for various offences — from corruption and breach of trust allegations to implications of stealing drugs bound for an evidence locker — and others have faced disciplinary action.