Media Effects on Citizen Perceptions of Police

• In Event: Police, Police Shootings, and Perceptions

Abstract

Using data collected from citizens who had an interaction with police in a mid-sized city in the southeastern region, we use their media consumption practices as a predictor of police effectiveness. Previous studies have found a citizen’s perception of police can be affected by the amount and type of media consumed. Community policing was implemented to increase positive perceptions of the police. High profile current events have strained community relations with the police. The purpose of this paper is to add to the discussion on media effects and overall perceptions of police, both globally and locally. Parsing out differences between these global attitudes and local perceptions of police is vital to understand any disconnect that currently exists. The sample is derived from individuals who had an interaction with a local police officer, either through a traffic stop or a call for service. Choosing either a self-administered online survey or a computer assisted telephone interview, respondents answer several questions about the interaction, their perceptions of police locally and globally, media consumption and questions on neighborhood context. A citizen’s media consumption and their overall interaction with the police will be a significant predictor for their perceptions of police effectiveness.

Authors

• Asia Hernton, Augusta University

• Candace E Griffith, Augusta University

• Allison Foley, Augusta University