Roundtable: So You Want to be a Cop? Criminological Outreach in Communities of Color

Session Submission Type: Roundtable Session

Abstract

Often the communities that we, as criminologists survey and extract information from are of color. However, when speaking with individuals who live there, they are often unaware of what criminology is. There is often this misconception that if someone is majoring or has majored in criminology that he or she wants to be a police officer. Although there are those that have dual roles as researchers and practitioners, the role of a criminologist is often misunderstood. Due to this, it is important to understand why the field of criminology is not well-known in communities of color. Moreover, why is it that they are only familiar with policing as the face of criminology, when research is a major component of the job description? This roundtable intends to discuss criminological outreach in communities of color and discuss ways in which we can inform these individuals within this space of the role and purpose of the field.

Sub Unit

• Area XIII: Roundtable Sessions

Chair

• Asha M Ralph, Old Dominion University

Discussant

• Frank Wood, Old Dominion University