Does Migration Background Matter? Trust in the Police Among Adolescents in an Italian Neighborhood

• In Event: Police and social change in Italy: empirical perspectives

Abstract

Research has shown that the relationship between the police and young people, especially those with a migrant background, is often problematic (Tyler & Fagan, 2014; Weisburd et al., 2016; Bradford, 2017; de Maillard & Zagrodzki, 2021; Fassin, 2013). This paper presents the results of a study conducted in the San Siro district of Milan, an area known for its significant population of foreign residents, including many young people with a migration background. The study aims to investigate the relationship between these young people and law enforcement through two complementary research lines: the first analyzes the perspective of the youth, while the second focuses on law enforcement agencies. The goal is to deepen our understanding of their interactions, how these encounters affect trust, and their experiences with police practices like stop-and-search. Ultimately, this research aims to contribute to the development of police studies in Italy, a field that remains underdeveloped, and to broaden the debate on police practices.

Authors

• Laura Squillace, University of Milan

• Roberto Cornelli, University of Milan Bicocca