Hispanic Perception of Police Performance: An Empirical Assessment (From Criminal Justice and Latino Communities, P 73-86, 1995, Antoinette S. Lopez, ed. - See NCJ-168536)

• NCJ Number: 168540
• Author(s): D L Carter
• Date Published: 1995
• Length: 14 pages
• Sale Source: Garland Publishing, Inc.
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS.

Annotation

An exploratory study examined the relationships between the police and Hispano Americans in Texas by means of a survey that gathered Hispanic evaluations of police performance, expectations of police performance, and overall satisfaction with the police.

Abstract

A sample of 500 Hispanics throughout the State were surveyed on their experiences and perceived relationships with three levels of police agencies: local (municipal) police, sheriff's officers, and the State Department of Public Safety. The analysis focused on overall ratings, victim-related data, and data from individuals who had any form of contact with the police. Results revealed that any form of contact with the police appeared to lower the rating of police performance. This result appeared to be a product of the interaction between high public expectations and qualitatively poor police performance. Findings also indicated that an increase in fear of crime reduced evaluations of local police and that victimization reduced the evaluation of local police, the county sheriff, and the Department of Public Safety. Hispanics also perceived that police officers had a bad attitude, that the police need to patrol and investigate more, that response time should improve, and that less discrimination should occur against Hispanics. Findings appeared to be influenced largely by ineffective symbolic and linguistic communication and by cultural conflict. Tables, notes, and 45 references (Author abstract modified)