Between Trust and Trauma: Black Emerging Adults’ Views on Police Legitimacy and 911 Help-Seeking

• In Event: Lightning Talk: Perceptions, Knowledge, and Attitudes Towards Criminal Justice Issues

Abstract

The deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Sonya Massey have reignited public outrage and heightened attention to disparate policing practices. High-profile cases of police violence have exacerbated police-community relations and eroded trust in law enforcement, particularly among Black emerging adults. Vicarious exposure to such violence may skew perceptions of police legitimacy and discourage individuals from seeking police help (i.e., calling 911) during emergencies. This study explores how vicarious police violence impacts Black emerging adults’ perceptions of police and their willingness to seek police assistance during times of need. Semi-structured interviews and focus groups were conducted with 30 Black undergraduate students from four historically Black colleges and universities in southeastern United States. Participants’ ages ranged from 18 to 28 (M=21). Data were analyzed thematically using NVivo software. Participants described how online exposure to incidents of police violence caused them to view police less as legitimate protectors of their safety and more as potential threats. This fear impacted their willingness to contact police or call 911 during emergencies. Instead, this prompted interest in non-carceral approaches to public safety, including self-help strategies and community interventions. Findings underscore the need for systemic reforms in policing to restore civic trust and ensure police accountability.

Authors

• Betty L. Wilson, University of South Carolina

• Robert Motley, Boston College

• LaShawnda Fields, University of Arkansas