“You Must Love the Police!”: Muslims’ Perceptions of the Police in the North Texas Area

• In Event: Roundtable: Critical Perspectives in Policing

Abstract

Studies on the relationship between law enforcement and Muslims in the United States have mostly focused on federal law enforcement agencies and various macro policy-level issues. Little attention has been given to micro-level interactions between local law enforcement—such as the police-- and Muslims, particularly regarding Muslims’ varying perceptions of the police. To make sense of Muslims’ perceptions of the police, I interviewed 20 community members and leaders—including community organizers, mosque managers, Imams, security guards, and Muslim police officers-- in the North Texas area. Further, I have conducted 13 short “ethnographic conversations” with other community members and leaders. One of the emerging themes from these semi-structured interviews and brief ethnographic conversations is the impact of Islamic teachings on Muslims’ perceptions of and attitudes toward the police in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Meaning, Islam—especially one specific verse in the Qur’an—encourages some participants to express respect for the authority, including the police. Additionally, I discuss how the participants’ interpretations of the Qur’anic verse vary across immigration and race lines. My research has implications for studies on the relationship between law enforcement and minorities, as well as on issues surrounding race, immigration, and religion.

Author

• Amirhossein Teimouri, Tarleton State University (Fort Worth)