Hispanic Student Perspectives on the Professional Status of University Police

• In Event: 21020 - Section on Sociology of Education Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (60 minute): Table 4: Social Networks, Identity, and Inequality in Student Experiences

Abstract

With an increase in violent protests and police shootings on college campuses, concerns have arisen about the level of trust students have with the campus police charged with keeping the community safe. This study aims to investigate the under examined perspectives and experiences of Hispanic students regarding their interactions with and perceptions of campus law enforcement. We expand current literature by examining Hispanic students' perspectives on campus police and include a sample from a university with non-sworn officers, allowing for investigation into the liminal state of campus police. Using a survey of students on a private university campus in the Midwest, we assessed student demographics and background, interactions with campus police, and general perceptions of police. Our analysis shows that there are differences in perceptions of campus police by the student’s race and ethnicity. We also see that the predictors of students having positive perceptions of police vary by race and ethnicity. Importantly, we also find a significant effect of campus belonging on perceptions of campus police.

Authors

• Andrea Krieg, Elmhurst University

• Maya Kosiarek, Elmhurst University