Experience with Police among U.S. Adults: Intersectionality, Victimization, Perception, and Criminality

• In Event: Perceptions of Police from Diverse Perspectives

Abstract

Research on attitudes toward police has focused on issues around race and ethnicity, sometimes considering intersectionality with class, gender, and sexual orientation, among other identities. However, these studies often rely on relatively small samples and are not usually representative of the general population of the United States. This study examines opinions of police through two large nationally representative samples obtained from online survey platforms. The results will examine the relationship between victimization, reporting to the police, criminality, carceral experiences, and attitudes toward police. The study also examines the impact that other factors, such as neighborhood disorder and fear of crime, have on attitudes toward police and likelihood of reporting victimization. Finally, the results will examine the impact of intersectionality, including race/ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, and class, has on attitudes toward police. Policy and research recommendations will be discussed.

Authors

• Michelle L. Malkin, East Carolina University

• Michele Stacey, East Carolina University