1
PODCASTS & PUNISHMENT: TRUE CRIME PODCASTS AND OPINIONS ON THE
DEATH PENALTY IN CANADA

By
Sophie Renée Rita Piché

Under the Supervision of
Dr. Tanya Trussler

An Honours Project submitted
in partial fulfillment
of the Degree requirements for the degree of
Bachelor of Arts – Criminal Justice (Honours)
Mount Royal University
Date Submitted: April 2022

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Copyright 2022 ©
Sophie R. R. Piché
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

This work is completed in entirety by Sophie R. R. Piché. All rights are reserved to the
information provided within the document.

MOUNT ROYAL UNIVERSITY
CALGARY, AB, CANADA

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Abstract
True crime podcasts are very popular in Canada and across the world. Despite this, little research
has been done on the genre and what its impact may be on Canadian listeners. Using data from a
survey on 455 true crime podcast consumers in Canada, this study identifies common listener
characteristics and participant support for the reinstatement of the death penalty. Relationships
between high podcast consumption, participation in crime and justice activism, and support for
the death penalty are explored, and opportunities for future research are discussed.
Key words: true crime podcasts, death penalty in Canada, capital punishment

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Acknowledgements
Thank you to all those who participated in this study and who made this entire project
possible! Thank you all for your overwhelming support and enthusiasm, I could not have done
this without you!
To my supervisor, Dr. Tanya Trussler: thank you for your support, expertise, and
guidance throughout this very tumultuous academic year. Thank you to the Mount Royal
University library staff for the assistance with research and SPSS, and to my employer for giving
me the luxury of time to complete this degree.
Maman, Papa, Ginette, Brian, et Pascal: merci pour votre amour et votre soutien pendant
toute ma vie et surtout ces dernières années. Merci de m’encourager à vivre “ma vie”. Je vous
aime et vous me manquer beaucoup!
Lastly, infinite thanks to my partner Tom and our cats for your love and support every
step of the way. Thank you for everything, from the sandwiches you got up early to make me, to
proof-reading my assignments, to somehow always knowing when I need a coffee. Thank you
for always believing in me.

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Table of Contents

Introduction & Background ............................................................................................................ 6
True Crime Podcasts ....................................................................................................................... 8
Capital Punishment ....................................................................................................................... 12
Research Question ........................................................................................................................ 15
Methods......................................................................................................................................... 15
Data and Sampling .................................................................................................................... 15
Dependent Variables ................................................................................................................. 16
Support for reinstating the death penalty in Canada.............................................................. 16
Main Independent Variable ....................................................................................................... 17
Time spent listening to true crime podcasts. ......................................................................... 17
Additional Independent Variables ............................................................................................. 18
Methods of Analysis.................................................................................................................. 19
Results ........................................................................................................................................... 21
Participants Demographics ........................................................................................................ 21
Podcasts Consumption Habits ................................................................................................... 22
Participation in Activism ........................................................................................................... 22
Opinions on Reinstating the Death Penalty............................................................................... 23
Discussion ..................................................................................................................................... 26
Limitations .................................................................................................................................... 29
Conclusion .................................................................................................................................... 31
References ..................................................................................................................................... 33
Appendix ....................................................................................................................................... 39

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Podcasts & Punishment: True Crime Podcasts and Opinions on the Death Penalty in Canada

Introduction & Background
True crime podcasts have greatly expanded in popularity since the launch of the podcast
Serial in late 2014. True crime is currently one of the most popular genres of the podcasting
medium, with three of the top five global podcasts at the time of writing being from that genre
(Chartable, n.d.). Despite their popularity, true crime podcasts, and the true crime genre in
general, have been met with criticism, with some believing that the genre is exploitative
(Verdier, 2021), that it creates an elevated fear of crime (Hollis et al., 2017), and that it serves as
propaganda for law enforcement (otherwise known as "copaganda") (Moskowitz, 2020; Discover
Pods, 2021).
The fact that media affect the public’s perceptions of crime and justice is well examined
(Pfeiffer et al., 2005). For example, Kort-Butler and Sittner Hartshorn (2011) found that
consuming fictional crime dramas was related to higher support for the death penalty. True crime
podcast listeners offer a new group to explore this phenomenon, especially when considering that
creators often invite listeners to participate in crime and justice related activism, such as signing
petitions or attending protests in support of aspects of cases featured on the podcast. One such
instance is when, in 2019, listeners of the podcast Canadian True Crime were invited to attend a
protest in Ottawa in support of Victoria Stafford’s family. The family was protesting to change
Correctional Services Canada’s policies on the notification of the whereabouts and status of
offenders to the families of victims (Lee, 2019).
These types of events are important because public opinion can affect policy changes
(Government of Canada, n.d.). Therefore, if true crime podcasts affect listeners’ perceptions of

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crime and potentially get them involved in such campaigns, they may then also be indirectly
changing crime and justice policy. The potential effects of true crime podcasts may become
apparent not only through participating in activism, but also through electing politicians whose
platforms align with major criminal justice themes featured in true crime podcasts.
Due to the accessible nature of podcasts, consumers can download podcasts produced
anywhere in the world at no cost on an Internet browser or on a smartphone app. Many true
crime podcasts, including the most popular in the genre such as Serial or My Favorite Murder,
are produced in the United States and very often feature cases from that country. Some of these
cases feature capital punishment as the sentence for the convicted killer, which is at times
deemed appropriate or even celebrated in American true crime podcasts. For example, while
recounting the crimes of serial killer Ted Bundy during a 2017 live episode of My Favorite
Murder, host Karen Kilgariff states: “But the good news is, he was convicted on all counts and
he was sentenced to death. And on January 24th 1989 Ted Bundy was executed in the electric
chair in Florida” (Kilgariff & Hardstark, 2017, 1:09:25). Co-host Georgia Hardstark replies
“Good!” and the live audience then cheered (Kilgariff & Hardstark, 2017, 1:09:35). Exposure to
such narratives about capital punishment through this medium may be influencing listeners in
Canada (and elsewhere) to seek its reinstatement the death penalty.
True crime podcasts are a relatively new area of criminological study (Yardley et al.,
2019). This study employed a primarily exploratory survey to gather preliminary information
about true crime podcasts listeners, their participation in crime and justice activism, and their
views on reinstating the death penalty in Canada. This research is important as it could assist in
better understanding the links between opinions on criminal justice and a relatively new media
form. It will allow us to better understand the potential influence of true crime podcasts on the

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opinions of Canadian listeners on this and other policies, and to develop theories about true
crime podcasts and true crime media in general.

True Crime Podcasts
Research into true crime podcasts is a new area of study in the field of criminology
(Yardley et al., 2019). True crime podcasts appear to offer a new opportunity to study this aspect
of the field because of the medium’s role in “popular criminology”, that is, the non-academic
manner of making sense of crime and society’s responses to it (Yardley et al., 2019). An
example of popular criminology in action is how media representations of sexual and intimate
partner violence have been shown to impact the public’s attitudes on violence against women
(Vitis & Ryan, 2021). While other media formats are also considered popular criminology, such
as news media and traditional documentaries (Yardley et al., 2019), podcasts offer listeners the
chance to consume content in different, more convenient ways such as outside of internet access
(Cunsolo, 2019). This may make them appealing to a wider audience as compared to traditional
televised content.
The accessible nature of podcasts allows them to be produced relatively easily and
inexpensively (Vitis & Ryan, 2021), meaning that those who produce and host true crime
podcasts are not necessarily knowledgeable in criminology, criminal justice, criminal law, and/or
journalistic standards and practices. While Serial was hosted by journalist Sarah Koenig, many
of the top true crime podcasts are hosted and produced by people of a variety of different
backgrounds such the comedians who host My Favorite Murder and the former software
salesperson and who hosts Crime Junkie. This variety of styles and approaches, as well as the
amateur nature of many of these podcasts, may be having different effects on listeners and

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popular criminology. This is especially noteworthy when considering that a 2019 study of true
crime podcasters by Bolling found that all four participants felt strongly about using their
podcast as a means to educate their audience about the criminal justice system (Bolling, 2019).
Listeners of true crime podcasts have also noted that they consume them for entertainment and
because they view them as a source of information (Vitis & Ryan, 2021; Bolling & Hull, 2018).
The marrying of these intentions from both producers and consumers suggests that more critical
examinations of the genre from the fields of criminology and criminal justice is needed.
True crime podcasts and consequences of listening to them have been studied from the
perspective of other disciplines such as psychology, linguistics, and communications, and, at
times, from a criminological or criminal justice perspective. Many of these provide insight on the
demographics of true crime podcasts listeners. A 2021 criminological study on listener patterns
and perceptions of true crime podcasts listeners in Australia found that 92% of participants
identified as being between the ages of 18 and 34 (Vitis & Ryan, 2021). A 2018 communications
study conducted on the motivations of true crime podcast listeners found that 62% of their
sample stated being between the ages of 18 and 34 (Bolling & Hull, 2018).
The true crime genre is often critiqued for disproportionately focusing on white victims,
with their stories told by white voices (such as podcasters) (Green, 2020). It is then not surprising
that the audience of true crime podcasts has largely identified as white, such as in Bolling and
Hull’s study which found that 89% of their sample identified as Caucasian (white) (Bolling &
Hull, 2018). Another study found that their sample of listeners of the true crime podcast My
Favorite Murder “predominantly identified as female and Caucasian” (Pavelko & Myrick, 2019,
p. 166).

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Pavelko and Myrick’s finding of a predominantly female audience (2019) is mirrored in
other studies. The 2021 Australian study on true crime podcasts found that 88% of respondents
identified as female (Vitis & Ryan, 2021), while 73% of Bolling and Hull’s 2018 study
participants identified as this gender (Bolling & Hull, 2018). Research on why women are drawn
to true crime has suggested that women are attracted to the genre because of their higher fears of
being a victim of a crime, despite the fact that, statistically, men are the more likely victims
(Vicary & Fraley, 2010). This fear may be leading women to seek out ways to avoid being
victimized, such as by consuming true crime and learning about what motivates people to kill
and how victims are chosen (Vicary & Fraley, 2010).
As noted above, true crime podcasts have been criticized for exploiting victims of crime
and their families (Verdier, 2021). When surveyed one this issue, listeners of true crime podcasts
seem divided: 54% agreed that true crime podcasts honour victims of crime, while 27% agreed
that it exploits them (Vitis & Ryan, 2021). One response to this criticism would be that true
crime podcasts bring awareness to certain cases or issues, and, at times, succeed in seeking
justice for a victim (or wrongfully convicted person). Feminist researcher Pâquet (2021)
analyzed two serialized true crime podcasts that focused on the inconclusive investigations of the
murders of two women in Australia. She argues that the podcasts helped draw support from the
public for these cases after traditional institutions of justice had failed them, and both cases were
re-opened for investigation (Pâquet, 2021). Slakoff’s (2022) qualitative analysis of four
serialized podcasts of cases featuring intimate partner violence (IPV) found that the podcasts
provided a more accurate depiction of IPV than traditional news media, but that the focus on the
physical abuse was sensationalized, despite it not being as common as the psychological and
emotional abuse present in these cases (Slakoff, 2022).

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Despite some criticisms of true crime podcasts, some studies have explored their positive
aspects such as the motivations for and consequences of listening. Pavelko and Myrick (2019)
surveyed listeners of the podcast My Favorite Murder who had been diagnosed with a mental
illness and discovered that these users found listening to the podcast to be a helpful coping
mechanism (Pavelko & Myrick, 2019). The social media communities created for fans of this
podcast were also found to be helpful social supports for those with mental illness (Pavelko &
Myrick, 2019). The Bolling and Hull study on true crime podcast listener motivations similarly
found that the social interaction that true crime podcasts communities provide were a motivator
for listeners (2018). Other common motivations for tuning in to true crime podcasts included
entertainment, convenience, and boredom (Boling & Hull, 2018).
Crime media, including news media, often demonstrate a preference for reporting on
violent crime, leading to the creation of the popular adage “It if it bleeds, it leads” (Serani, 2011).
This phrase refers to the news media’s tendency to lead with stories about violent crime due to
the high ratings that these kinds of stories attract (Serani, 2011). Research suggests that crime
media, in the form of true crime and crime dramas such as Law & Order, respond to the public’s
“unending thirst for information on bizarre and violent crime” (Dowler et al., 2006, p. 839). As
violent crimes seem to be the main focus of true crime podcasts, this medium is not exempt from
feeding into the public’s fascination with this subject matter. Vitis and Ryan’s research on true
crime podcast listeners in Australia found that listeners have an overwhelming preference for
violent crime when choosing a podcast, with 91% of respondents stating they prefer podcasts
about serial killers, followed by missing person’s cases (69%), stranger homicide (60%), and
intimate partner homicide (54%) (Vitis & Ryan, 2021). Non-violent crimes such as white collar
crime and organized crime were ranked lower at 19% and 39% respectively (Vitis & Ryan,

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2021). Preferences for these types of cases may be explained by the primarily female audience
and their motivation of learning how to avoid violent victimization, as mentioned above.

Capital Punishment
The first recorded use of the death penalty as punishment for various crimes can be traced
back to the Code of Hammurabi in the eighteenth century BC (Death Penalty Information Centre
[DPIC], n.d.). The death penalty remained a common punishment for many crimes over the
centuries in many parts of the world, though William the Conqueror disallowed all executions
during the tenth century except during times of war (DPIC, n.d.). However, capital punishment
regained favour during Henry VIII’s reign and, by the 1700s, was the punishment of choice for
222 different crimes (DPIC, n.d.).
Today, according to Amnesty International (2021), a total 144 countries have banned the
death penalty either in law or in practice. The five countries with the most executions in 2020
were China, Iran, Egypt, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia with over 483 executions combined, though the
exact number is in reality likely higher due to China (and perhaps others) keeping its execution
data secret (Amnesty International, 2021).
The United States is unique in the Western world for being one of the few democratic and
developed nations to actively use capital punishment (Worley, 2018). It is also the only country
in the Americas to have held executions in the last 12 years (Amnesty International, 2021). In the
United States, where laws for use of the death penalty as punishment are governed by individual
states, a total of 25 states have active death penalty laws, while three (California, Oregon, and
Pennsylvania) have moratoriums on the practice in place (World Population Review, 2022). As
of 2022, some states that abolished the death penalty for murder in the past, such as Virginia and

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Illinois, have attempted to reinstate it as punishment for the killing of police officers (DPIC,
2022). In January 2022, Virginia state senator Bill DeSteph introduced a bill to restore capital
punishment in the case of the murder of a law enforcement officer (Gooding, 2022). This bill
was introduced less than a year after the state of Virginia abolished the death penalty in March
2021 (Gooding, 2022). Also in January 2022, Illinois State Representative Dave Severin
introduced a bill that would allow juries to select the death penalty for anyone convicted of
killing a police officer in Illinois, despite the fact that the death penalty in that state was
abolished in 2011 (Baillie, 2022). The politicians cited support for law enforcement and
accountability for the convicted murderers as reasons for reinstating capital punishment for these
cases (Gooding, 2022; Baillie, 2022).
In Canada, the death penalty for murder was abolished in 1976, though the last execution
was held in 1962 (Gendreau & Renke, 2020). In 1998, capital punishment was completely
eliminated in Canada when it was removed as a punishment for military offences (Gendreau &
Renke, 2020). In 1987, a bill to reinstate capital punishment in Canada failed to pass in the
House of Commons by a vote of 148 to 127 (Gendreau & Renke, 2020). No government has
attempted to reinstate the death penalty since, and both political parties that had advocated for its
reinstatement, the Reform Party and the National Advancement Party of Canada, have since been
dissolved or merged with other parties (Rancourt et al., 2020).
Despite the lack of political action on reinstating capital punishment in Canada, public
discourse on this topic remains contentious (Rancourt et al., 2020). Support for the reinstatement
of the death penalty in Canada in the last decade has ranged from 63%, according to an Angus
Reid poll in 2012 (Brennan, 2012), to 41.26% in 2015 as found in the Canadian Election Study
(Rancourt et al., 2020), and finally to 51% in 2020 (Research Co., 2020). Rancourt et al. (2020)

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report that studies have demonstrated that support for the death penalty among Americans is
strongest in certain socio-demographic groups: those who are male, conservative, white,
protestant, and/or married tend to support the death penalty more than their counterparts.
Rancourt et al.’s 2020 study on attitudes towards the death penalty found that favouring
conservative parties, distrusting the government, and scoring high on the “law and order” scale
were significant predictors of supporting the death penalty for both Canadians and Americans.
Therefore, it is reasonable to hypothesize that Canadians who support the death penalty would
mirror the American socio-demographics associated with this attitude.
Those who are in favour of the death penalty as a punishment for murder argue that it
acts a as a general deterrent, preventing people from committing murder if they think they will
face such a harsh punishment (Bohm, 2014). Proponents also state that the death penalty is
adequate retribution in cases of murder, because the punishment fits the crime, and point to the
benefit of removing the killer from society with absolute certainty through this kind of
incapacitation (Bohm, 2014). Those in favour of the death penalty reassure its critics by stating
that this sentence is actually quite rare in the United States, as shown by the fact that less than
1% of those convicted of homicide receive a death sentence (Worley, 2018).
In contrast, opponents of the death penalty argue that there is no evidence to support that
capital punishment is an effective deterrent and that states with the death penalty actually have
the highest murder rates (American Civil Liberties Union [ACLU], n.d). In addition, it is argued
that capital punishment is very costly in time and resources to the justice system because of all
the additional steps and appeals that those convicted may take to overturn their convictions or
reduce their sentences, such as the automatic review of these cases by a state supreme court
(Worley, 2018). Moreover, opponents of capital punishment claim that this type of sentence is

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not productive, perpetuates an overly vengeful type of retribution (Bohm, 2014), and runs the
risk of executing innocent people (ACLU, n.d.).

Research Question
What are the opinions of true crime podcast listeners in Canada on the death penalty?

Methods
Data and Sampling
Study approval was received from the Mount Royal University Human Research Ethics
Board (HREB) on January 24, 2022. Survey data were collected from January 24 to January 31
2022 via an anonymous online survey administered through Google Forms. The survey consisted
of approximately 40 questions divided into several sections: demographics, true crime podcast
consumption habits including how much time they spend listening to true crime podcasts on a
weekly basis; opinions on the death penalty; opinions on mandatory minimum sentences and
judge discretion in sentencing; and opinions on police and the Defund the Police movement. For
the purposes of this paper, only the questions regarding views on the reinstatement of the death
penalty will be analyzed.
Participants were primarily recruited via online communities on Reddit and Facebook
related to true crime podcasts or that are dedicated to finding participants for surveys. The
following Facebook communities were used for recruiting participants: “MFM - BC
Murderinos”, “Dark Poutine’s Yumber Yard v2.0”, Cowtown Murderinos (Calgary)”, “MFM
Murderinos – Saskatchewan”, “Not Another True Crime Group”, and “Ask Nova Scotia
(Advice, Opinions, Recommendations etc.)”. As for Reddit.com forums, the following

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communities were used: SampleSize, Casefile, MyFavoriteMurder, TrueCrimeDiscussion, and
LOPTL (the community dedicated to true crime podcast Last Podcast on the Left).
Permission to post in these groups, where required, was sought and granted in all the
groups and communities named above. A brief recruitment script describing the survey,
including the participant criteria, participation requirements, researcher contact information, and
a direct link to the survey was posted to these groups. In addition, targeted ads were posted via
Google Ads, publicizing that participants were wanted for a study on true crime podcasts. The
ads were targeted towards Canadian residents 18 years of age and older and who had shown
interest in pages and websites related to crime and true crime podcasts. As this study is interested
in finding out what listeners think about topics related to criminal justice policy in the Canadian
context, 18 years was chosen as the minimum age because this is the voting age in this country.
Therefore, this is the age at which most listeners would reasonably be expected to act upon their
thoughts on public policy through voting. Costs associated with the targeted ads were incurred
by the author using personal funds.
Dependent Variables
Support for reinstating the death penalty in Canada. To measure support for reinstating
the death penalty in Canada, the question “Would you support or oppose reinstating the death
penalty for murder in Canada?’ was replicated from a poll conducted by Canadian public opinion
firm Research Co. on the death penalty in Canada in March 2020. This was a four-point Likert
scale with the option to Strongly Support, Moderately Support, Moderately Oppose, Strongly
Oppose, and a fifth “Not sure” option.

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Five questions on conditional approval of the death penalty were added to gauge if types
of crimes or offenders commonly covered on true crime podcasts, such as serial killers, would
garner differing levels of support from participants. The first conditional option was for someone
convicted of multiple murders, another for someone convicted of murdering a child, and a third
for someone convicted of murdering someone as part of a hate crime. A fourth question about
conditional approval of the death penalty for someone convicted of murdering a peace officer
was added as a means to address the criticism that the true crime genre is police propaganda. The
fifth condition asked participants for their support on reinstating the death penalty in Canada for
a murder committed as part of a terrorist act. This option was added with the intention of being a
neutral condition as terrorist crimes are not commonly covered on true crime podcasts. The same
Likert scale format as the original Research Co. question was used for these conditional approval
questions.
Main Independent Variable
Time spent listening to true crime podcasts. It can be considered difficult to quantify
how often and for how long participants must listen to true crime podcasts to be considered
“regular listeners”, because media consumption habits vary between individuals. However, by
asking participants to identify as “regular” listeners, it was conceived that this attracted
participants who currently tend to seek out this kind of content, rather than those who have
listened to true crime podcasts in passing or who have consumed the genre in the past but no
longer do so. While all participants self-identified as regular listeners of true crime podcasts,
levels of consumption were expected to vary between participants. To examine this, participants
were asked to estimate how many hours, on average, they spend listening to true crime podcasts

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per week. This variable was then split participants into two groups to compare their views on the
death penalty.
Additional Independent Variables
Participants were asked a series of questions about demographics such as gender, age,
years of education, political views, and province of residence. In addition, questions about true
crime podcast consumption habits were included: participants which true crime podcasts they
listen to regularly, and motivations for listening. A list of the top ten true crime podcasts in
Canada according to Apple Podcasts at the time of survey-writing was provided for listeners to
choose from, and space was provided to include additional podcasts not listed. As for
motivations for listening, options were replicated as per the results of Boling & Hull’s 2018
study on this topic.1
Participants were also asked about any previous involvement with the Canadian criminal
justice system in the following capacities: as a justice professional or volunteer, a victim of a
crime, an accused person, as a family member of a victim or accused person, a jury member
during a criminal trial, or as a witness testifying in criminal court. These options were replicated
from the 2017 National Justice Survey 2017 administered by EKOS Research Associates Inc. on
behalf of Justice Canada.
Participants were asked if they had ever participated in crime and justice related activism
after being invited to do so by a true crime podcaster. This kind of activism was defined to
encompass the wide range of behaviours related to crime and justice that are commonly
encouraged by true crime podcasts. These were based on the author’s own experience consuming

1

A full list of these podcasts and motivations can be found in the copy of the survey included in the Appendix.

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true crime podcasts and engaging in communities dedicated to them. For example, the true crime
podcast That’s Messed Up: An SVU Podcast holds a segment on each episode dedicated to
connecting listeners to additional resources and actions related to the crime covered each week.
This podcast also posts about these on their Instagram page. The activist behaviours listed in the
survey were largely influenced by this segment and included the following: signing petitions,
donating to charitable causes, accessing additional resources such as books and articles, and
spreading the word to family and friends.2 The questions about prior involvement in the criminal
justice system and participation in crime and justice related activism were included to further
analyze any potential relationships between these experiences and participants’ opinions on the
topics in this survey.
Methods of Analysis
As this survey was composed of mainly nominal variables and yielded data that was not
normally distributed, the primary method of analysis employed in this study was cross
tabulations with chi square tests of independence. Cross-tabulations are used to organize two (or
more) mutually exclusive groups of categorical data into a table consisting of one variable in the
column and the other in the row (Qualtrics, n.d.). The table will include frequency counts and
percentages in each cell that correspond to the characteristics in question (Qualtrics, n.d.).
Having the data arranged this way allows researchers to determine if there is a relationship
between a certain metric and another independent variable by comparing percentages between
groups within the second variable (Qualtrics, n.d.). In this study, the metric being examined is
support for the reinstating the death penalty in Canada, while the independent variables

2

A full list can be found in the copy of the survey included in the Appendix.

20
introduced to observe any relationships include education levels and level of true crime podcast
consumption.
The chi square test of independence then allows researchers to determine if the difference
between groups is due to randomness or to a potential relationship (Dartistics, n.d.). This is
accomplished by calculating the expected frequencies for each cell in the table, subtracting the
expected values from the observed value, and squaring the result (Qualtrics, n.d.). The sum of the
chi squares is then compared to the critical chi square value, which is determined based on the
degrees of freedom in the data set and the desired alpha level (Dartistics, n.d.). Degrees of
freedom are calculated by multiplying the number of rows in the cross-tabulation minus one and
the number of columns minus one, while the alpha level will depend on the level of significance
desired by the researcher (Dartistics, n.d.). The level of significance sought for the chi square test
in this study was 0.05 or less, as is typical in social science research. Critical chi square value
tables are found in most research and statistics textbooks or can be found using an online
calculator (Dartistics, n.d.)
To complete the cross-tabulations, the four-point Likert scale questions on the use of the
death penalty were recoded into binary variables consisting of Support (Strongly Support and
Moderately Support) and Oppose (Moderately Oppose and Strongly Oppose) groups, while “Not
sure” responses were recoded as missing.
To create the other independent variables required for cross-tabulations, participants were
separated into several mutually exclusive groups. These included groups commonly used in
social science research such as gender and education level. Participants were also split into
groups based on past participation in true crime related activism, prior involvement in the
criminal justice system, and level of true crime podcast consumption. The latter groups were

21
created based on average hours spent listening to true crime podcasts per week: the sample
average was 10.04 hours per week (standard deviation of 11.10 hours), and the median was 6
hours, indicating positively skewed data. Schaffer (2021) reports that the average podcast
consumer listens for 6 hours and 39 minutes per week. Due to the similar central tendency
finding in this study, the sample was divided into two groups: the lower consumption group, who
listened to true crime podcasts for 6 hours a week or less, and the higher consumption group,
who listened for more than 6 hours.

Results
Participants Demographics
The sample collected consisted of 455 participants. Of these, 93.79% (423) identified as
female, 3.99% (18) as male, 1.11% (5) as non-binary, and the remaining 1.11% (5) as other. A
total of 88.08% (399) of participants identified themselves as white/Caucasian, 4.64% (21) as
First Nations, Inuit or Métis, 4.42% (20) as bi- or multi-racial, and the remaining 2.86% of the
sample consisted of individuals who identified as East Asian, Southeast Asian, Arab, or
Hispanic. The sample included participants from all ten Canadian provinces but none of the
territories. Of the provinces, Nova Scotia provided the most participants (111), representing
24.50% of the sample, followed by British Columbia with 110 participants or 24.28%, and
Alberta with 96 participants or 21.19% of the total sample.
In terms of political alignments, 59.10% of the sample selected the New Democratic
Party (NDP) as the federal party that best aligned with their views, followed by the Liberal Party
of Canada at 23.19%, and the Conservative Party of Canada at 8.98%. The remaining 8.73% of
the sample selected other political parties. The mean age of participants was 34.43 years (SD =

22
8.74). Participants held, on average, 15.82 years of education (SD = 2.67), about equivalent to a
post-secondary degree.
Podcasts Consumption Habits
The average time spent listening to true crime podcasts per week was 10.04 hours (SD =
11.10), while the median was 6 hours. The three most popular true crime podcasts in this sample
were Canadian True Crime, with 52.09% of respondents stating that they listen to this podcast
regularly, followed by My Favorite Murder (48.13%), Someone Knows Something (35.38%),
Crime Junkie (34.29%), and Dateline NBC (31.65%). When asked about their motivations for
listening to true crime podcasts, 75.60% of respondents selected liking mysteries, 67.91%
selected the convenience of the medium for exploring their interest in true crime, 64.18%
selected enjoying learning more about the criminal mind, and 56.04% stated that podcasts help
them learn more about the criminal justice system.
Participation in Activism
When asked if they had ever participated in crime and justice related activism after being
invited to do so by a true crime podcasts, 36.32% of respondents said yes. The most common
type of activism respondents engaged in was accessing an additional resource such as a book or
article (94%), followed by signing a petition (87.80%), following a justice-related social media
page or account (78.40%), and making a donation to a justice-related cause (41.80%).

23
Opinions on Reinstating the Death Penalty
Figure 1: Levels of support for reinstating the death penalty in Canada, by condition
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
General
Murder of a child
reinstatement

Murder of a
peace officer

Multiple murders Murder as part of Murder as part of
a hate crime
a terrorist act

Support (%)

As shown in Figure 1, it was found that a total of 31.19% of participants supported
reinstating the death penalty in Canada. Participants were also asked if they supported the death
penalty in certain circumstances: someone who was convicted of the murder of a child, the
murder of a peace officer, the murder a person as part of a hate crime, for someone convicted of
a terrorist act, or for someone who was convicted of multiple murders. Of these conditions,
support for reinstating the death penalty was highest for those convicted of multiple murders at
55.43%, followed by those convicted of murdering a child at 52.46%.

25
(more than 6 hours per week) supported reinstating the death penalty 11.65% more than those in
the lower consumption group (6 hours per week or less). Those in the higher consumption group
supported reinstating the death penalty more than those in the lower consumption group for
every condition listed above, as shown in Graph 2.
Table 2: Support for reinstating the death penalty in Canada by Participation in crime and
justice activism
Past participation in crime and justice-related activism
Yes (n=138)
No (n=242)
Reinstating
the death
penalty in
Canada

Support
Oppose

21.74%

37.19%

78.26%

62.81%

* X2 = 9.710, df = 1, p = .002.

Participants who stated that they have not previously participated in justice related
activism after being invited to do so by a true crime podcast supported reinstating the death
penalty 15.45% more than those who have, as shown in Table 2. There was no difference in
support for reinstating the death penalty between participants who had prior involvement in the
criminal justice system.
Table 3: Support for reinstating the death penalty in Canada by Education level

Reinstating
the death
penalty in
Canada

Support

High school
diploma or
less (n=54)
41.44%

Oppose

55.56%

* X2 = 37.481, df = 3, p = <.001.

Education level
Bachelor’s
Some postdegree
secondary
(n=137)
(n=121)
48.76%
18.98%
51.24%

81.04%

Postgraduate
degree
(n=105)
20.00%
80.00%

26
As shown in Table 3, those with lower levels of education supported reinstating the death
penalty more than those with higher education levels: those with some post-secondary education
supported reinstating the death penalty 29.78% more than those with a bachelor’s degree, and
28.76% more than those with a post-graduate degree. Those with a high school diploma or less
supported reinstating the death penalty 22.46% more than those with a bachelor’s degree and
21.44% more than those with a post-graduate degree.

Discussion
The demographics of this sample are consistent with those of previous studies on
listeners of true crime podcasts: like in studies by Vitis and Ryan (2021) and Bolling and Hull
(2018), participants were overwhelmingly female, white, and young. This is also consistent with
the fact that women appear to consume more true crime than men (Vicary & Fraley, 2010).
The 2020 poll by Research Co. used to guide this study found that 51% of Canadians
support reinstating the death penalty for murder in Canada, compared to just 31.19% of
respondents in this survey. The Research Co. poll found that 47% of female respondents, 47% of
respondents aged 18-34, 49% of those aged 35-54, and 37% of respondents who identified as
NDP voters supported reinstating capital punishment for murder in Canada. This study’s findings
are not consistent with the general public’s opinions as reported by Research Co.’s study,
considering the fact that this study’s sample was 93.79% female, with a mean age of 34.43 years,
and that 59.10% chose the NDP as their preferred federal political party. Overall support for
reinstating the death penalty was substantially lower from true crime podcast listeners than
would have been expected based on these demographics. One explanation could be the relatively
high education level of this sample, with 58.03% of respondents holding a bachelor’s degree or

27
more. The Research Co. poll did not include analyses based on education, but this study found
that those with a bachelor’s degree or more supported the death penalty much less than those
with lower education levels (see Table 3).
This study’s findings are also curious when compared to previous research completed on
Americans which found that being male, conservative, white, protestant, and married were
significant predictors of supporting the death penalty (Rancourt et al., 2020). Of those sociodemographic factors, this study found one similarity in that most participants were white and
showed some support for the death penalty. In contrast, most of the participants were female and
over half the sample supported the NDP (a left-wing political party in Canada), yet still showed
some support for the death penalty. This is interesting especially considering that support in this
sample based on these demographics was lower than would have been expected based on results
from the 2020 Research Co. poll as detailed above. Perhaps some research on the sociodemographic factors that predict support for capital punishment in Canada would provide insight
on this paradoxical finding. Finally, though this study did not survey participants on their
religious affiliations and marital status, this could be an avenue for future research to examine if
these factors are predictors of support for the death penalty in the true crime podcast audience.
It is noteworthy that support for the death penalty increased when participants were asked
about its use in specific circumstances: 55.43% of respondents state supporting the death penalty
for someone convicted of multiple murders and 52.46% support it for someone convicted of
murdering a child. Support was higher for every circumstance provided than it was when
questioned about general support for the death penalty, which perhaps indicates that participants
actually support the death penalty more than originally stated once they are reminded of
especially heinous crimes that could be punished by death.

28
As true crime podcasts often feature cases involving serial killers (e.g., Ted Bundy and
John Wayne Gacy) or missing or murdered children, (e.g., JonBenet Ramsey), it is not surprising
that these two conditions had the most support from true crime podcasts listeners. The frequency
of coverage of these types of cases and the common use of capital punishment for these
offenders in certain jurisdictions may be informing these opinions, but more research is required
to support this assumption. While hate crimes are also regularly featured on true crime podcasts
support for the death penalty under this condition (45.08%) was lower than the previous two
conditions. The peace officer condition garnered the least support from the sample with only
33.74% supporting the death penalty under this condition. This is important because the murder
of a peace officer is considered more serious than other homicides in Canada as demonstrated by
the fact that it is automatically considered first degree murder. This result does not seem to lend
support to the criticism that true crime podcasts act as “copaganda”, because support for the
death penalty in this circumstance would be expected to be higher to reflect the relative
importance that respondents would put on the murders of peace officers such as police officers.
However, this is only one part of the overarching copaganda theory.
It is noteworthy that the higher podcast consumption group had higher support for
reinstating the death penalty than the lower consumption group. This is in line with Kort-Butler
and Sittner Hartshorn’s 2011 finding that consumption of crime dramas was a predictor for
support for the death penalty. As the cases covered in true crime podcasts are real, this may be an
additional factor that is influencing opinions on the death penalty in this study. Conceivably, the
prolonged exposure to true crime cases is what is influencing the high consumption group to
hold more punitive opinions, but more research on other punitive policies and attitudes should be
conducted to support this hypothesis.

29
Conversely, those who had previously engaged in crime and justice activism opposed
reinstating the death penalty in Canada more than those who had not. This could be because the
activities engaged in, such as reading a book or signing a petition, provided more nuanced
accounts of the criminal justice system that may make these participants more hesitant to support
more punitive measures. Participation in these behaviours likely also exposed participants to real
victims and/or offenders as opposed to “characters” in a podcast, which emphasizes their
humanity. This relationship should be explored further to determine which factors, if any, may
be influencing it.

Limitations
There are several limitations to this study. The sample of participants, while an adequate
size to represent the population of true crime podcast listeners in Canada, was not randomly
selected and was not reflective of the greater Canadian population in terms of gender, race,
geography, and political views. Random sampling would have been difficult to achieve under the
circumstances of this project, but perhaps future research on this topic using larger samples of
the general population could include questions on true crime podcast consumption.
Recruitment methods could have had an impact on the demographics of the participants
in this sample. For example, as participants were recruited via pre-formed social media groups,
this may have impacted the age range, gender, and location of respondents. The Human Research
Ethics Board (HREB) approval only permitted the recruitment of participants in the methods and
social media groups listed in the application, preventing additional communities and sampling
methods (such as snowball sampling) to be used. In hindsight, additional communities relating to

30
true crime podcasts and recruitment methods should have been considered in the HREB
application.
Participants were separated into groups based on their prior involvement with the
criminal justice system for cross tabulations. While one significant difference was found between
groups, perhaps even more insight would have been gained if participants were separated into
groups based on type of involvement in the criminal justice system. This is because it is expected
that a justice professional would have a different impression of the criminal justice system than a
family member of an accused person, for example. The way the groups were created did not
account for additional these in-group differences, which should be explored further.
The order in which questions about the death penalty were presented may have
influenced the way participants responded to them by priming them on this topic. When first
asked about their support for the death penalty, most participants indicated that they did not
support it. However, when presented with several circumstances in which the death penalty may
be used, support was higher for each circumstance than for the general question on reinstatement.
This may indicate that general support for the death penalty is actually higher than shown when
originally surveyed, because the subsequent questions reminded participants of the egregious
circumstances in which the death penalty could be used. Alternatively, it is possible that the
additional questions about the death penalty influenced participant answers by inadvertently
implying that there are legitimate reasons for its use, which may cause participants to increase
their levels of support for the practice.

31
Conclusion
This study on true crime podcast listeners in Canada found that the audience for this
genre is overwhelming female, white, young, and educated. While the overall sample had lower
support for reinstating the death penalty in Canada than the general population, it was found that
those who consume true crime podcasts for more than six hours per week demonstrated higher
support for this policy than those who listened for average of six hours or less. This finding may
be lending support to the criticism that, in excess, true crime consumption can contribute to an
unsubstantiated fear of crime as demonstrated by higher support for tough on crime policies such
as capital punishment. However, low support for the death penalty in the case of the murder of a
peace officer does not seem to support the criticism that true crime podcasts are a type of
propaganda for law enforcement, but further research is required to confirm this.
To rule out spuriousness, further research is required to explore the relationships found in
this study, and could begin by replicating this study with a larger, more representative sample,
and a control group of participants who do not consume true crime podcasts. In addition, this
study should be replicated in other abolitionist jurisdictions where true crime podcasts are
popular, such as Australia and the United Kingdom, to unearth any similar relationships between
true crime podcast consumption and support for the reinstatement of the death penalty.
To complement these findings, future qualitative research could include conducting a
content analysis of various true crime podcasts to examine any patterns and themes related to the
topics explored in this study. Lastly, the remainder of the data from this study on podcast
consumption habits, opinions on mandatory minimums, and police views should also be
analyzed.

32
This study also found that over one third of the sample had previously participated in
crime and justice activism after being invited to do so by a true crime podcast. This type of
engagement, coupled with the fact that many listeners turn to true crime podcasts for information
on the justice system, should not be ignored. Policy-makers should take note of the types of
narratives about crime and justice that are being proliferated through this medium, as this
contribution to popular criminology may have a more significant impact on Canadian society
than one would realize.

33
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39
Appendix
Copy of Questionnaire
DEMOGRAPHIC SECTION
1. Please select your gender.
a.

Male

b.

Female

c.

Non-binary

d.

Genderqueer or gender non-conforming

e.

Prefer not to answer

f.

Prefer to self-describe

2. What is your age (in years)?

3. Which of the following best describes your race or ethnicity?
a.

White

b.

Black

c.

Indigenous (First Nation, Metis, Inuit)

d.

East Asian (Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Filipino)

e.

Southeast Asian (Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Afghani, Sri Lankan)

f.

Arab

g.

Hispanic

h.

Two or more of these

i.

Prefer not to answer

j.

Prefer to self-describe:

4. In which province or territory do you reside?
a.

Alberta

b.

British Columbia

40
c.

New Brunswick

d.

Newfoundland and Labrador

e.

Nova Scotia

f.

Northwest Territories

g.

Manitoba

h.

Nunavut

i.

Ontario

j.

PEI

k.

Quebec

l.

Saskatchewan

m.

Yukon

5. In the space below, please input how many years of education you have (where 12 years =
high school diploma).

6. Regardless of how you voted in the last federal election, which federal party do your political
views best align with?
a.

Bloc Québecois

b.

Conservative Party of Canada

c.

Green Party

d.

Liberal Party of Canada

e.

New Democratic Party (NDP)

f.

People’s Party of Canada

g.

Other (specify):

h.

Not sure

7. Have you ever been involved in the criminal justice system? Choose all that apply.
a.

Testifying as a witness in criminal court

b.

Jury member chosen to participate in a criminal trial

c.

As the victim/survivor of a non-violent crime

41
d.

As the victim/survivor of a violent crime

e.

After being charged/convicted of a crime

f.

As a family member of a victim/survivor

g.

As a family member of an accused/convicted person

h.

Know someone as victim/accused

i.

By working in the criminal justice system/Working in a related field

j.

Volunteering in the criminal justice or related area

k.

Other (please specify) :

l.

I have not been involved in the CJS before

m.

Prefer not to answer

TRUE CRIME PODCAST CONSUMPTION

8. Using your best estimate, please input below how much time (in hours) you spend listening to
true crime podcasts during an average week.

9. Which of the following podcasts do you listen to on a regular basis?
a.

Canadian True Crime

b.

Casefile

c.

Crime Beat

d.

Crime Junkie

e.

Dateline NBC

f.

Mens Rea

g.

My Favorite Murder

h.

Morbid

i.

Uncover (CBC podcast)

j.

Sword and Scale

k.

Wine & Crime

l.

Others (please list them here):

42
10. Some studies have found the following common motivations for listening to true crime
podcasts. Please select which motivations from the list below apply to you (select all that apply).
I listen to true crime podcasts…
a.

because I like mysteries.

b.

because I enjoy learning about the criminal justice system.

c.

because it is a convenient way to explore my interest in true crime.

d.

as a way to escape my daily life.

e.

to learn more about the criminal mind.

f.

to learn ways to reduce my own risk of victimization.

g.

because they are popular and I want to participate in the conversation.

h.

because of the community they provide.

i.

because I find them relaxing.

j.

to alleviate my own anxieties surrounding crime.

k.

Because I enjoy the host(s)’s storytelling style.

l.

Other: (please specify)

11. At times, true crime podcasters invite their listeners to participate in activism campaigns
related to the crime(s) or social issue(s) discussed in a series or episode. For example, this could
include signing petitions or donating to a cause.

Have you ever participated in such an activism campaign after hearing about it on a true crime
podcast?
a.

Yes

b.

No

c.

Not sure

12(a). [If answered yes to the previous question] What kind of activity did you participate in?
a.

Signed a petition

b.
Donated money to a charity/a fundraiser through a direct donation or purchase of
merchandise
c.

Wrote to a politician or other leader

43
d.

Followed a social media account

e.

Attended a protest, march, or demonstration

f.

Read a book, article, or other resource recommended by the podcast

g.

Spread the word about an issue to friends, family, peers and/or colleagues

h.

Other (please specify):

12(b) How many times would you say you participated in such campaigns? Please use your best
estimate.

12(c). Please provide details on the campaign(s) in which you participated. E.g.,: I signed a
petition requesting that an offender be denied parole. I donated to a charity that supports
LGBTQ2S+ youth.

POLICIES ON CAPITAL PUNISHMENT
As you may know, Canada eliminated the death penalty for murder in July 1976. Today, the
automatic sentence for someone convicted of first degree murder is life imprisonment with no
possibility of parole for 25 years.

13. Would you support or oppose reinstating the death penalty for murder in Canada?
a.

Strongly support

b.

Moderately support

c.

Moderately oppose

d.

Strongly oppose

e.

Not sure

At times, people may not support the death penalty in general but feel that it is appropriate under
certain circumstances.
For example:
14. Would you support or oppose the death penalty in Canada for someone convicted of
murdering a child?
a.

Strongly support

b.

Moderately support

44
c.

Moderately oppose

d.

Strongly oppose

e.

Not sure

15. Would you support or oppose the death penalty in Canada for someone convicted of
murdering a military or peace officer (police officer, corrections officer, etc)?
a.

Strongly support

b.

Moderately support

c.

Moderately oppose

d.

Strongly oppose

e.

Not sure

16. Would you support or oppose the death penalty in Canada for someone convicted of
murdering someone as part of a hate crime?
a.

Strongly support

b.

Moderately support

c.

Moderately oppose

d.

Strongly oppose

e.

Not sure

17. Would you support or oppose the death penalty in Canada for someone convicted of killing
multiple people, either in a mass murder or during a series of murders?
a.

Strongly support

b.

Moderately support

c.

Moderately oppose

d.

Strongly oppose

e.

Not sure

18. Would you support or oppose the death penalty in Canada for someone convicted of terrorist
activity?
a.

Strongly support

45
b.

Moderately support

c.

Moderately oppose

d.

Strongly oppose

e.

Not sure

MANDATORY MINIMUM SENTENCES AND JUDGE DISCRETION

When someone is convicted of a crime, they appear for sentencing. A judge will impose a
sentence that reflects the seriousness of the crime and the offender's level of responsibility for
that crime.

20. How important is it for a judge to consider each of the following when deciding on a
sentence that is fair and appropriate:
[rows]
The seriousness of the specific offence (e.g., circumstances surrounding the crime, was
there a victim)
How responsible or blameworthy the offender is (e.g., how responsible the offender is
for their behaviour due to personal circumstances)
The wishes of the victim(s), if there is one (e.g., seeking financial restitution, desire for leniency)

[columns]
Not at all important
Somewhat unimportant
Neither important nor unimportant
Somewhat important
Very important

21. A number of offences in the Criminal Code of Canada include a range of behaviours from
less serious to more serious. For example, an assault charge can be given for a shove during a
disagreement as well as other acts of violence that can cause more harm to a person. This
variation explains why courts have a range of options available to them at sentencing.

46
Given that a wide range of behaviours is included in a single offence (a shove or a punch are
both called assault), do you believe that it would be fair and appropriate to give all offenders
convicted of the same offence (e.g., assault) the same sentence? That is, should the offender who
shoved someone and the offender who punched someone always be treated the same or should
their sentences be different?

a.

Yes, they should have the same sentences

b.

No, they should have different sentences

c.

Hard to tell without more information on each

d.

Don't know

e.

No opinion

22. The following three options represent different degrees of discretion that judges could have
when sentencing offenders. Which of these do you think is the best approach for determining fair
and appropriate sentences for offenders?
a. Judges are free to decide sentences after looking at how the offence happened, why the
offender did it and what sentences were given in other similar cases.
b. Judges decide sentences by using guidelines. Judges are free to choose the right sentence
within those guidelines and can go outside the guidelines in those few cases where they feel a
different sentence is needed. Judges would give the reasons for their decision in writing.
c. Judges give everyone who commits the same offence the same sentence no matter the
individual circumstances of the offence and the offender.
d. Don't know
e. No opinion

Some offences under the Criminal Code of Canada are tied to mandatory minimum penalties. A
mandatory minimum sentence is a jail sentence where the minimum length of time for a
conviction of a specific crime has been set by Parliament, although judges are able to give more
than the minimum sentence when they feel it is appropriate. Judges have no flexibility to
sentence someone below the mandatory minimum. Some of the offences that carry a mandatory
minimum sentence include human trafficking, the use of a firearm while committing an offence,
some drug offences, and some sexual offences.

Please rate how much you agree or disagree with the following statements about mandatory
minimum sentences.

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23. In general, applying the same minimum sentence to all offenders who are convicted of the
same offence is fair and appropriate.
a.

Strongly agree

b.

Moderately agree

c.

Moderately disagree

d.

Strongly disagree

e.

Not sure

24. Mandatory minimum sentences make sentencing more equal and fair across different groups
(e.g., rich and poor) because there is a set minimum applied to everyone.
a.

Strongly agree

b.

Moderately agree

c.

Moderately disagree

d.

Strongly disagree

e.

Not sure

25. A guaranteed minimum period of incarceration is too harsh and does not lead to fair and
appropriate sentences in those cases where the circumstances of the offender or the crime would
suggest a lesser sentence.
a.

Strongly agree

b.

Moderately agree

c.

Moderately disagree

d.

Strongly disagree

e.

Not sure

26. Mandatory minimums are a strong deterrent for people to commit crime because they would
know that there would be a guaranteed minimum term in jail/prison.
a.

Strongly agree

b.

Moderately agree

c.

Moderately disagree

d.

Strongly disagree

48
e.

Not sure

27. Mandatory minimums decrease the pressure on the courts and reduce the amount of time it
takes to complete cases before the court because everyone is given at least the same minimum
sentence.
a.

Strongly agree

b.

Moderately agree

c.

Moderately disagree

d.

Strongly disagree

e.

Not sure

POLICING
In the summer of 2020, conversations around the police and their relationships with minorities
were in the spotlight following the murder of a black man, George Floyd, by a Minnesota police
officer. These conversations pushed many organizations, including law enforcement, to address
issues of systemic racism and bias.
28. Thinking about the police in your own community where you live, do you generally view
them favourably or unfavourably?
a.

Very favourably

b.

Favourably

c.

Unfavourably

d.

Very unfavourably

e.

Not sure

29. When you personally see a police officer, does it usually make you feel more or less secure?
a.

More secure

b.

Less secure

c.

No real feeling either way

30. Would you say, when it comes to the Canadian justice system, priority should be given to

a. Crime prevention and the rehabilitation of those convicted of crimes
OR

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b. Longer sentences to punish criminals

31. Which of the following best reflects your feelings about the way police interact with Black,
Indigenous, and other non-white people …
[rows]
In your own community
In your province
In Canada as a whole

[columns]
There is a serious problem
Sometimes police interact inappropriately with non-white people, but it’s not a major problem
There is no problem
Not sure

32. Would you say you agree or disagree with the following statements?
[rows]
The police are too quick to use force to solve a problem
The police in my community make me proud
There is a serious problem with systemic racism in the RCMP
Police officers are not held accountable when they abuse their power
Complaints about police misconduct are taken seriously in my community
Police unions cover up for bad cops

[columns]
Strongly Agree
Moderately Agree
Moderately Disagree
Strongly Disagree

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33. When you think about the amount of money that is spent on the police in your community,
would you say it is:
a.

Too much, funding should be reduced

b.

About right

c.

Too little, funding should be increased

d.

Don’t know/Not sure

34. And when you think about police resources, regardless of whether you would like to see
them reduced or increased, would you say money should be allocated more towards:
a.

More police presence in high crime areas

OR
b. Social welfare solutions like mental health resources and housing programs