NCJ Number
238331
Date Published
2011
Length
179 pages
Annotation
This study explored race as a factor affecting citizens' preferences for police work.
Abstract
This study explores theoretical links between attitude and preferences, explaining preferences for police work and attitudes toward the police, analyzing racial variations in preferences, the relationship between race and preferences, and broader context of race and citizens' preferences. Results support the notion that preferences for police work are influenced by citizens' race. One of the most consistent findings is that African-Americans hold less favorable opinions of the police than do Whites. Findings show that four of the six hypothesized relationships between race and police work were confirmed. Race seems to explain preferences around police behavior involving use of force and respect. It also predicts preferences for certain police functions, both service and due process protections. There is no racial difference about preferences for the police function of law enforcement or order maintenance. Further, these results tend to be consistent with the racial differences that have been highlighted in the attitude literature. This study considered 4 police functions and 2 police behaviors, using 58 activities. Tables, references, and index