Changing the Approach to Gangs: A Quantitative Study of Gang Members Perception of Police and Law

• In Event: Poster Session

Abstract

This study examines how the socioeconomic status of gang members effects their perspective of the law and police. Specifically assessing how economically stable and not stable gang members perceive the law as representing the moral values of people like themselves and if the police stand up for values that are important to themselves. Interviews and survey data were collected from 45 current or former male gang members. Two independent T-tests were used as the method for data analysis. Findings from this study show that gang members with a family economic background that is not stable are less likely to perceive that the law represents the moral values of people like themselves and are less likely to perceive that the police stand up for values that are important to themselves. Police departments and policy makers should strive to be more inclusive to the perspectives of gang members to improve gang members view of the law and police and decrease gang related crimes. More inclusive approaches towards gang members could include expungement of criminal records, more job opportunities for individuals with a criminal record, and scholarships and grants to support individuals who have abandoned their gangs and gang-related criminal behavior.

Authors

• Isaiah Tyran Fincher, Tarleton State University

• Jiseun Sohn, Southern University and A & M College