An Examination of Muslim Youths’ Attitudes Toward the Police in the United States and Canada

• In Event: Marginalized Communities and Perspectives on Police and Crime

Abstract

Despite a growing number of studies examining attitudes toward the police by minoritized communities, there is a lacuna in the literature regarding the Muslim community’s perceptions. Muslim youth represent a growing proportion of those arrested and incarcerated in both the United States and Canada. Increasingly, post-9/11, Muslim communities are viewed in criminological discourse as perpetrators of crime. Drawing on a sample of Muslim youth in both Canada and the United States, this study seeks to bring a nuanced understanding of their perceptions of policing. Finally, we discuss findings and policy implications for Muslim communities and law enforcement agencies.

Authors

• Omeed Ilchi, Purdue University Northwest

• Amin Asfari, University of Regina

• Shamma Hickling, University of Maryland Eastern Shore