New research released by the New South Wales Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) confirms what many Australians may already feel: trust in police is declining.

BOSCAR has been surveying NSW residents since 2007 and in releasing the 2026 data, the organisation states:

Confidence in the NSW criminal justice system has declined significantly since 2019 across all measures, and is at the lowest levels since BOCSAR’s survey began in 2007.

Confidence in the NSW criminal justice system has declined significantly since 2019 across all measures, and is at the lowest levels since BOCSAR’s survey began in 2007.

This comes just months after a 2026 Australian Productivity Commission report found perceptions of fair and equal treatment by police has declined more than 20% in the past decade.

So why is this happening, and why does it matter?

Trust is one of the foundations policing relies on. When trust falls, people are less likely to report crime, cooperate with investigations, or call for help when they need it.

Our recent research examined anti-police sentiment in Australia. We found some Australians have moved well beyond simple frustration with police into genuine fear, anger and in some cases, an apathetic perspective that nothing will change.

When people feel that way, they disengage from the very system designed to keep them safe.

This matters right now because governments across Australia are debating youth crime, domestic violence, bail laws and........

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