Racial Differences in Perceptions of On-Campus Police

• In Event: Poster Session II

Abstract

According to a recent poll conducted by the National Public Radio, six out of ten African Americans report that themselves or a relative have been unfairly stopped by a police officer. Due to this, and a multitude of other racial disparities in the criminal justice system, African American approval of law enforcement is considerably lower than it has been in quite some time. This research utilizes a survey of students at a rural university to explore attitudes towards on-campus police. The analysis also addresses whether or not there is a difference between approval of on-campus law enforcement as opposed to other law enforcement officers.

Authors

• William Towery, Western Carolina University

• Tasha Youstin, Western Carolina University