Poll: Americans split on whether more aggressive police action would have calmed, enflamed violent protests

A recent poll by SurveyUSA found Americans split on the question of whether a stronger police response would have served to limit or worsen violence that spread after protests across the country in the aftermath of the death of George Floyd.

Asked whether a more aggressive police response would have meant more or less violence, 48% said more, 22% said it would not have made a difference and 21% said it would have lessened violence.

Republicans are twice as likely as Democrats to feel a stronger police response would have reduced violence. Sixty-two percent said that had police responded more aggressively, more protesters would have been injured.

When the same question was worded a different way, though, the responses flipped.

Asked whether a less confrontational response would have meant more or less violence, 36% (and 50% of Republicans), said more and 26% said less, while 27% said it would not have made a difference.