Police Legitimacy and Social Media: Exploring Local and Cyber-Mediated Perceptions of Police in Canada

• In Event: Roundtable: Policing

Abstract

Public opinions of police are often quite resistant to alteration, even in the presence of evidence that refutes or contradicts such opinions. Additionally, public opinions of police are often formed vicariously and indirectly. Research examining relations between police agencies and the communities that they serve suggests that the ‘fight against crime’ may become more successful when the surrounding community is supportive of their local policing agency. Within this particular context, it is important to understand how public opinions of police are formed. While sociologists have examined the capabilities of various forms of media to shape individual realities, particularly when it comes to matters of crime and deviance, scholarly examination of particularly 21st century media outlets has been scant in this regard. To close this gap in the literature, this Master’s thesis will include two data collection techniques. First, semi-structured interviews will be conducted with undergraduate students at the University of Calgary. Second, a content analysis will examine both manifest and latent messages in media content disseminated through Facebook and Twitter. The overriding objective for this research project is to gain insight into the manners in which social media platforms construct public perceptions of the Police in Canada.

Author

• Evan Brewis, University of Calgary