Navigating the Backroads: Obstacles and Opportunities in Researching Rural Law Enforcement

• In Event: Rural Policing and Social Control

Abstract

This presentation explores the unique challenges and rewards of conducting research in rural regions of Oklahoma and Southwest Missouri. While these areas offer rich opportunities to study under-represented communities, researchers face significant logistical hurdles. Limited public transportation necessitates extensive car travel, often across long distances and unfamiliar territories. This can be time-consuming, expensive, and pose safety concerns. Additionally, the sparsity of internet access and technological resources in some areas can hinder communication and access to navigation systems. This presentation shares information on obstacles and opportunities from an ethnographic study of over 30 law enforcement officials. Data were conducted via interviews, field visits, and observations from 2017 to 2019. This presentation delves into some of the key obstacles encountered and discusses strategies for navigating them. The types of opportunities that accompany this type of ethnographic field research will be discussed. Methods for building trust and rapport with rural communities, fostering participant recruitment, and utilizing alternative data collection techniques will be discussed. By sharing experiences, we aim to equip researchers with information to consider for overcoming challenges and unlocking the full potential of research in rural areas.

Authors

• Rashi Shukla, University of Central Oklahoma

• Melissa Smith, University of Oklahoma