Trust in the Police: An Analysis Driven by our Multiracial Society

• In Event: Poster Session II

Abstract

This study was administered in an attempt to determine whether students trust the police in society. This study focuses on trust in the police based on a multitude of races specifically acknowledged through the United States Census Bureau (USCB). The races include; Caucasian or White, African American or Black, Asian, American Indian or Alaskan Native, and Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander. Research was used to find whether or not different races trust or distrust the police. The research question specific to this study is; does African Americans have less trust in the police, when compared to Caucasians? This research is important, because society needs police, so that same society can retain law and order. Likewise the United States is a vast multiracial society, which could potentially have minor and/or major fluctuations in the amount of trust in the police between the multitudes of races within the nation’s borders. The method of research is a cross-sectional research survey questionnaire handed out to 127 college students. Results of the t-test show significant differences between whites and non-whites, with whites reporting more trust in the police.

Author

• Matthew Balint, Cabrini University