Racial Differences in Officers’ Perceptions of Qualified Immunity & Behavior

• In Event: Poster Session 2

Abstract

In response to public criticism surrounding the high-profile killings of unarmed civilians, many have called for a re-examination of laws that make it difficult to hold police officers accountable. One of which is qualified immunity, a judicial doctrine that protects government officials from being sued unless they have violated a clearly established constitutional law. What is not often considered in conversations regarding criminal justice reform is how direct challenges to the policing profession may affect officer behavior, especially the behavior of black police officers. Black officers comprise a unique social group in that they are both members of a community that tends to hold negative perceptions of law enforcement due to experiences with racial profiling and members of a profession that is perceived to be the cause of the oppression of black Americans. This study aims to determine whether racial differences exist in officer perceptions of qualified immunity (QI) and to what extent. Difference in differences will be used to compare officers’ perceptions and behavior in states that have eliminated QI to states that have not. In-depth interviews will also be conducted to better understand the more salient factor: police culture or race identification.

Author

• Katherine Wilson McCoy, University of Central Florida