Advances in Rural Criminology: Policing in Rural Communities

Session Submission Type: Complete Thematic Panel

Abstract/Description

The majority of law enforcement agencies in the United States serve communities with fewer than 100,000 residents, and rurality can greatly impact various aspects of police training, duties, practices, and engagement with the community. This panel includes recent research on policing in various rural American communities. Specifically, presenters will discuss research on 1) Indigenous Americans' perceptions of police legitimacy across rural and urban settings; 2) specialized agricultural training for rural police in Oklahoma via ethnographic and qualitative methods; and 3) rural Alaskans' perceptions of police presence and security. Each presenter will discuss data, methods, results, and the practical and theoretical implications of their research.

Sub Unit

• Area VI. The Criminal Justice System / 39. Police Legitimacy and Community Relations

Individual Presentations

• Was it Legitimate? Rurality and Indigenous Perceptions of Police Stops - Heather Zaykowski, University of Massachusetts Boston; Lena Campagna, Caldwell University

• “Because Being an AG Agent is Not What We Do, It’s What We Are”: Insights Into Specialized Rural Law Enforcement - Melissa Inglis, University of Oklahoma; Rashi K. Shukla, University of Central Oklahoma

• Is More Better? Rural Resident Perspectives on the Need for More Police Services - Brad A. Myrstol, University of Alaska Anchorage

Chair

• Rashi K. Shukla, University of Central Oklahoma

Organized by a Division or external group?

Division of Rural Criminology