The Perception of Police-Community Relations by Black Women in Mid-Atlantic Urban Communities

• In Event: Protecting Marginalized Communities: Assessing Community-Based Policing Needs

Abstract

There is an exhausting amount of literature on the perception of police. However, no research exists specifically for minority women on the perceptions of police-community relations. Therefore, this study focused on Black women’s perception of police-community relations in Mid-Atlantic urban communities. The study was a generic, qualitative study supported by a grounded theory, theoretical foundation, and thematic analysis. The research question asked, “What is the perception of police-community relations by Black women in Mid-Atlantic urban communities?” The findings of the research study revealed that the perceptions of police-community relations by Black women in Mid-Atlantic urban communities vary by location, thus providing recommendations for effecting change, direct interactions with law enforcement (traffic/motor vehicle interactions), and indirect experiences with law enforcement (media and social media) affects perceptions. Participants’ additionally expressed concern for police-community relations as they provided solutions to improve perceptions of law enforcement and suggestions to repair that relationship in communities. Thus, the study provides the foundation for future research on police-community relations. Recommendations for further research are to expand the geographic location of the research study beyond Mid-Atlantic urban communities and to study the perceptions of police-community relations by Black women who reside or work outside of the United States.

Author

• Mecca K. Terry, University of North Carolina at Pembroke