NCJ Number
126768
Journal
Journal of Police Science and Administration Volume: 17 Issue: 4 Dated: (December 1990) Pages: 250-257
Date Published
1990
Length
8 pages
Annotation
Studies have shown that while members of minority groups generally hold satisfactory views of police, their views, particularly among blacks, are more negative and hostile than those of whites.
Abstract
A study in Atlanta examined the views of a random sample of 600 black respondents on 10 opposing quality police image items such as honest/corrupt, smart/dumb, and tough/softhearted. Respondents were categorized by age; sex; marital, educational, occupational and employment status; experience (indirect and direct) with police; and residence. results showed that a higher proportion of Atlanta blacks rate police both more honest and less effective than do blacks at the national level, very high on toughness, and very low on dumbness. Overall, 65 percent expressed a positive image of police and 35 percent a negative one. Older, married, white-collar, highly-educated, and employed respondents reported more positive images than did their younger, single, blue-collar, low-educated, and under- and unemployed counterparts. Sex of respondent had no bearing, unlike the national average which shows more positive police images coming from black females than males. The study recommends that policy makers focus on the needs of single residents of high-crime areas and youth. 2 tables and 29 references