NCJ Number
181493
Journal
Policing Volume: 22 Issue: 4 Dated: 1999 Pages: 675-695
Date Published
1999
Length
21 pages
Annotation
This study empirically assesses the effect of police officer race on evaluation of the police and provides a greater specification of the effect of expectations regarding police performance on evaluations.
Abstract
The study used data obtained from a sample of crime victims (n = 122). ANOVA and Ordered Probit analyses indicated that police officer race did not influence victim evaluations of police performance. However, expectations did significantly influence evaluations of the police and expectations of police performance differed across racial lines. Although the study found no race effects, this relationship should be examined in greater detail before concluding that they do not exist. Further research might study this phenomenon in varied social contexts characterized by different minority populations and representation in positions of authority and power. The study indicated that minorities have greater expectations of police performance than do their white counterparts; however, more research is needed regarding the factors that determine expectations of police performance. Tables, notes, references, bibliography, appendix