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The impact of race/ethnicity, neighborhood context, and police/citizen interaction on residents' attitudes toward the police

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  • Lai, Yung-Lien
  • Zhao, Jihong Solomon

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to extend the current knowledge of public attitudes toward the police. Independent variables derived from three models, the demographic, the neighborhood context, and the police/citizen interaction models, were used to explain public perceptions of the police. More specifically, public attitudes toward the police was measured in two dimensions-- General Attitudes toward the police and Specific Trust in the police. The data was obtained by a telephone survey of 756 respondents in Houston, TX in 2008. The primary findings suggested that race, gender, age, victimization, and satisfaction with police work were significant predictors. Hispanic respondents reported lower levels of General Attitudes toward the police than their White counterparts. In addition, there was no significant difference between Whites and Hispanics in terms of Specific Trust in police such as the use of Taser guns. These results and their practical implications for police agencies were addressed in discussion.

Suggested Citation

  • Lai, Yung-Lien & Zhao, Jihong Solomon, 2010. "The impact of race/ethnicity, neighborhood context, and police/citizen interaction on residents' attitudes toward the police," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 38(4), pages 685-692, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jcjust:v:38:y::i:4:p:685-692
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ren, Ling & Cao, Liqun & Lovrich, Nicholas & Gaffney, Michael, 2005. "Linking confidence in the police with the performance of the police: Community policing can make a difference," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 33(1), pages 55-66.
    2. Cheurprakobkit, Sutham, 2000. "Police-citizen contact and police performance Attitudinal differences between Hispanics and non-Hispanics," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 28(4), pages 325-336.
    3. Cao, Liqun & Solomon Zhao, Jihong, 2005. "Confidence in the police in Latin America," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 33(5), pages 403-412.
    4. Huebner, Beth M. & Schafer, Joseph A. & Bynum, Timothy S., 2004. "African American and White perceptions of police services: Within- and between-group variation," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 32(2), pages 123-135.
    5. Carter, David L., 1985. "Hispanic perception of police performance: An empirical assessment," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 13(6), pages 487-500.
    6. Correia, Mark E. & Reisig, Michael D. & Lovrich, Nicholas P., 1996. "Public perceptions of state police: An analysis of individual-level and contextual variables," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 24(1), pages 17-28.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Bolger, Michelle A. & Lytle, Daniel J. & Bolger, P. Colin, 2021. "What matters in citizen satisfaction with police: A meta-analysis," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 72(C).
    3. Ferdik, Frank & Frogge, George & Cooney, Mikaela, 2022. "Exploring further determinants of citizen satisfaction with the police: The role of strain," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    4. Harris, Jacob W. & Jones, Melissa S., 2020. "Shaping youths' perceptions and attitudes toward the police: Differences in direct and vicarious encounters with police," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 67(C).
    5. Andrea Silva & Diego Esparza, 2021. "Explaining the American crisis of policing: Media, malfeasance, and racial prejudice," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 102(7), pages 3103-3113, December.
    6. Rothstein, Jesse, 2022. "Qualitative information in undergraduate admissions: A pilot study of letters of recommendation," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 89(C).
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