Latina/o Optimism and Views of The Police

• In Event: The El Paso Neighborhood Survey Project: A Reflection of Prior Work and Pathways Forward

Abstract

Latina/o perceptions of the police have been colored by experiences that often resulted in fear and mistrust. Prior research on the topic has drawn considerable nuance to this line of research; however, when taking into consideration Latina/o-specific views, further research is needed. This study explores the effects of optimism, a lifestyle orientation generally associated with prosocial coping across many psychosocial outcomes. This study positions optimism as a core feature of Latina/o resiliency. Using a sample of individuals from the El Paso Neighborhood Survey Project, this study analyzes the relationship between optimism and a range of police-related concepts including police legitimacy, procedural fairness, and legal cynicism. Policy implications are discussed, particularly for heavy Latina/o-specific contexts.

Author

• Chris Guerra, University of Texas at El Paso