Dr. John Herrickson
Oral Presentation - Public opinion of police by different ethnic groups
Public opinion of police in the United States varies among different ethnic groups. Each ethnic group's opinion is based on its interaction with law enforcement and how each group perceives justice by police when dealing with security issues in its environment. While some groups may perceive the police as essential in maintaining law and order in their communities, other ethnic groups view police as perpetrators of community victimization and racial profiling agents in the country. The manner in which police handle criminal issues in different ethnic communities plays a significant role in forming an ethnic opinion about the police. Also, the rate of incarceration and association of an ethnic group enables in creating of general opinion about the police.
Confidence in the police is critical for creating collective opinions among members of an ethnic group. For instance, in the US, studies have continuously shown a positive relationship between police and majority ethnic groups. White Americans may hence hold a positive opinion about the police. This is because this group's association with criminal activities has been historically low compared to other groups. Also, members of this ethnic group may report a rare instance of stop-and-frisk by officers along the streets. Thus, Whites are likely to perceive the police as a critical agency in enhancing the community's security. However, members of Blacks and Latino ethnic groups may have lower confidence in the police. This is because members of these groups perceive themselves as targets for police and criminal convictions. A constant interaction between these communities and police triggers the perception that police associate gang members with violence and illegal dealings, thus prompting unconfident opinion.
Moreover, different ethnic groups have varying opinions about equal treatment by police. Equality refers to the police's application of similar measures when dealing with situations in different ethnic groups' settings. Whites often view police to treat members of different ethnic groups equally. However, members of Latino and African American groups may perceive unequal treatment from police. For instance, in stop and frisk measures, Blacks and Latinos believe that they are often stopped and frisked than Whites. Also, Blacks and Latinos perceive unequal incarceration rates along ethnic lines. While Whites may be vindicated for minor crimes such as smoking Marijuana, Blacks and Latinos are likely to be incarcerated for the same crime. While Whites may perceive equal racial profiling by police, Latinos may hold a contrary opinion, perceiving their community as more susceptible to profiling than other ethnic groups.
Police accountability also attracts varying opinions across the ethnic divide. This division is reflected in major fatalities associated with police officers. Minority ethnic communities may hold a similar opinion of police unaccountability. Following vindication of major perpetrators of deaths of allegedly innocent members from minority communities, these groups perceive significant unaccountability in the police department. Lack of accountability may be argued to be a substantial factor contributing to the successive criminalization of innocent members of minority ethnic communities. However, most Whites may argue that officers are forced to kill the victims since the latter poses danger to the community and officers. Also, the majority of Whites may argue that police officers are held accountable for their actions when presented before the court. Their release is based on a lack of evidence. However, among minority communities, a vindication of suspected officers may be viewed as a significant aspect of injustice and lack of accountability in the entire police department.