NCJ Number
206579
Journal
Journal of Criminal Justice Volume: 32 Issue: 4 Dated: July/August 2004 Pages: 329-344
Editor(s)
Kent B. Joscelyn
Date Published
July 2004
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This exploratory study examined the impact of new immigration patterns on police-Latino community relations in rural Midwestern communities.
Abstract
Immigration patterns in the United States have increased the number of new residents and people from a wide variety of countries and cultures. In the Midwestern States of the United States, a large number of immigrants from Latin America, Balkan, and Asian countries have moved there in search of job opportunities, due in part to the relocation of large meat and poultry processing companies. This study investigated the effect of the new immigration patterns on police-community relations in small Midwestern communities impacted by the development of a large food processing plant and subsequent addition of a large Hispanic population. In examining the status of police-Hispanic community relations, the study investigated the following questions: (1) what is the official response of local law enforcement agencies in the rural Midwest to the new Hispanic immigration; (2) how does law enforcement perceive the relationship between the police and Hispanic residents; and (3) how do community members and leaders perceive the relationship between police and Hispanic residents? The results indicate that four factors presented major challenges to the relationship: language barriers, fear of the police, immigration issues, and the nature of contacts between police and Hispanics. Over 41 percent of the police officers in the study stated that when they encountered Latino residents, they had communication problems due to language most of the time. In spite of the brutal treatment by police in their native countries, Hispanics were afraid of American police and avoided initiating contact with law enforcement. The results of this study have potential application for other parts of the criminal justice system as well, such as courts and correctional agencies. Additional research is needed to examine how these agencies have adapted to non-English speaking populations and to what extent language and other barriers have affected their provision of services. References