Generations of Voices: Parents’ Memorable Messages Concerning Interactions With Law Enforcement Officers

• In Event: Theorizing Intergroup Dynamics in Families, the Workplace, and the Community

Abstract

Despite nearly two-thirds of the American public rating police officers warmly, overall, a recent Pew Research report indicated the racial divide in ratings of police officers is still very strong in the United States (Fingerhut, 2017). As members of distinct social groups, law enforcement officers’ and non-law enforcement officers’ interactions also can be understood as representative of intergroup communication. Therefore, this study explored the influence of memorable messages received from parental figures during childhood on perceptions of police officers. Adults (N = 210) were recruited to participate by completing an online questionnaire, which asked them about a memorable message a parental figure had given to them during childhood. Results indicated the emergence of themes regarding memorable message content, context, and effects. Furthermore, perceptions of police varied by race, for Black and White participants. Implications and applications are discussed.

Authors

• Alexander Lindon Lancaster, Weber State University

• Michael Ault, Weber State University

• Gregory A Cranmer, Clemson Univerity

• Robin Haislett, Weber State U