Asian American Perceptions of Police Legitimacy: Anti-Asian Hate Crimes

• In Event: Hate Crime Against Asian-Americans and Policing (Organized by Korean Society of Criminology in America (KoSCA) & Sponsored by the Division of Cybercrime (DC))

Abstract

Literature on Asian American relations with the police in the U.S. remains limited. This study aims to contribute to such literature, expanding our understandings of Asian American perceptions of policing in the U.S. Additionally, it explores how such perceptions relate to the recent increase in anti-Asian hate crimes, such if the police can effectively address such acts. This study provides insight into public views of policing during a historic context in which legal institutions have been continuously questioned and challenged.
Data used in this study came from in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 20 Asian Americans residing or working in a mid-Atlantic state. Participants, who were either recruited directly by the researchers or through the snowball-sampling method, were interviewed via Zoom during the fall of 2021. The interview questions focus on participants’ ideas of the police, conceptions of personal safety, anti-Asian hate crimes, use of media, and other major events or experiences that impact the participants’ police perceptions. Key findings indicate mixed impressions regarding if police can effectively address hate crimes. This includes beliefs that the police should provide feelings of safety, listen to the concerns of Asian communities, or that hate crimes are difficult areas for police intervention.

Authors

• Stephanie Van Ha, University of Delaware

• Ivan Sun, University of Delaware