Social Media Videos of Police Misconduct and Perceptions of Legitimacy and Cooperation with Campus Police

• In Event: Poster Session 2

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of exposure to social media videos of police misconduct on students' perceptions of legitimacy and cooperation with campus police. The research addresses two primary questions: (1) How does viewing and engaging with social media content depicting police misconduct affect students' perceptions of procedural justice and legitimacy of campus police? (2) How does this exposure influence students' willingness to cooperate with campus police? Utilizing a quantitative research design, the study will collect cross-sectional survey data from approximately 300 undergraduate students at a large public urban university in central Virginia. The survey will measure self-reported perceptions of legitimacy, procedural justice, and cooperation with campus police, as well as exposure to and engagement with social media content of police misconduct. Control variables include demographic information, media consumption habits, and prior experiences with police. The study aims to provide insights into how negative portrayals of police on social media affect student attitudes towards campus police, contributing to the broader literature on media influence and law enforcement legitimacy. The findings will have practical implications for campus police departments in fostering trust and cooperation within university communities.

Author

• Kamal Alhassan, Virginia Commonwealth University