Designed to deter: community perceptions of police vehicles, markings and the certainty of apprehension and punishment

Levi Anderson; Lisa Buckley

doi:10.1108/PIJPSM-08-2025-0163

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Designed to deter: community perceptions of police vehicles, markings and the certainty of apprehension and punishment

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Designed to deter: community perceptions of police vehicles, markings and the certainty of apprehension and punishment

Levi Anderson and Lisa Buckley

Policing, Vol.Advanced access

01-Jun-2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/PIJPSM-08-2025-0163

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Abstract

behaviour analysis

perceptual deterrence

perception of the police

traffic law enforcement

policing work

Purpose This study explores how police vehicle design influences public perceptions of enforcement capability and driver behaviour. It addresses a gap in the literature on how specific visual elements shape perceived certainty of apprehension, certainty of punishment and the duration of deterrent effects. Design/methodology/approach Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 40 Queensland-licensed drivers aged 18 years and older. Participants commented on the design elements that were most salient to them when it came to police vehicles. Participants also evaluated various police vehicle designs through open-ended questions and image-based rating tasks. A thematic analysis identified themes in perceptions around police vehicle designs and reported behavioural responses. Findings Participants consistently distinguished vehicles by visual cues, particularly the markings and bright colour of the vehicle impacted perceived deterrent effects. Traffic enforcement-focused vehicles, such as Highway Patrol cars and motorcycles, were seen as more deterrent than general duties (GD) vehicles, producing stronger immediate behaviour change and longer-lasting “halo effects”. Vehicle type, base vehicle colour, markings and visible equipment were described differently relative to perceptions of enforcement capability, the perceived role of that vehicle and associated behavioural responses. Practical implications The findings suggest that strategic police vehicle design serves as a force multiplier, enabling agencies to maximise deterrent impact with limited resources. Highly visible, purpose-designed traffic enforcement vehicles may yield greater road safety outcomes than deploying generic police vehicles. Originality/value This research provides a detailed examination of drivers' perception of police vehicle designs and the way in which such designs are associated with deterrence perceptions, offering evidence for consideration during vehicle procurement and deployment strategies to enhance road safety outcomes.

Details

Title: Designed to deter: community perceptions of police vehicles, markings and the certainty of apprehension and punishment
Authors: Levi Anderson (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast
Lisa Buckley - University of the Sunshine Coast
Publication details: Policing, Vol.Advanced access
Publisher: Emerald Publishing LImited
DOI: 10.1108/PIJPSM-08-2025-0163
ISSN: 1758-695X
Copyright note: © Levi Anderson and Lisa Buckley. Published by Emerald Publishing Limited. This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) licence. Anyone may reproduce, distribute, translate and create derivative works of this article (for both commercial and non-commercial purposes), subject to full attribution to the original publication and authors. The full terms of this licence may be seen at Link to the terms of the CC BY 4.0 licence.
Grant note: This work was supported by Motor Accident Insurance Commission (Queeensland, Australia).
Organisation Unit: Road Safety Research Collaboration; School of Law and Society
Language: English
Record Identifier: 991242146802621
Output Type: Journal article

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