Understanding Young Adults’ Attitudes Toward the Police: Pre- and Post-George Floyd

• In Event: Families and Intergenerational Transmission of Perspectives on Police and Justice

Abstract

Young people in the U.S tend to have strained relationships with the police and lower belief in police legitimacy than adults. These trends tend to remain consistent over time, but it is unclear what factors contribute to young people’s attitudes. Social context may be one important factor in understanding attitude development. The U.S. is currently facing a crisis of policing, with increased scrutiny on policing practices following several highly publicized police killings of unarmed individuals. The 2020 murder of George Floyd is a meaningful exemplar that contributed to increased activism and calls for police reform. By examining the attitudes of young adults before and after this significant event, this study sought to better understand how attitudes toward the police may reflect changing sociopolitical contexts. Comparing data from 184 young adults in 2019 and 2024, regression analyses revealed that young adults’ willingness to rely on police for help and belief that police would listen to them improved, but beliefs that law enforcement agencies employ the best candidates and that police are held to high standards worsened. Attitudes about police fairness, effectiveness, and having shared values did not change. Findings suggest changes in policing practices are needed to respond to young people’s concerns.

Author

• Keisha April, Rutgers University-Newark