Date of Conferral

2021

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Public Policy and Administration

Advisor

Michael Knight

Abstract

Media attention directed towards the relationship between law enforcement officers and communities of color has increased in recent years, specifically regarding the treatment of African Americans. In some cases, contact between police and African Americans had resulted in excessive and unjustified use of force. These types of occurrences have resulted in a divide between African Americans and police officers. The purpose of this phenomenological research study was to understand African Americans’ experiences and interactions with police in communities with less-than-optimal working relations in Coffee County, Georgia. The theoretical framework for this study is the normative sponsorship theory. Data were collected from 20 individuals using semi structured interviews and surveys. I used a snowball sampling method to conduct surveys and transcribed interviews using NVivo. In addition, data were managed and analyzed using NVivo as well. Most participants indicated they had bad experiences with police officers. Participants indicated that many factors contributed to African American distrust of the police. The media, police officers’ biases, police officers’ abuse of power, and police officers’ perceptions of African Americans also contributed to African Americans’ distrust of the police. Findings of the research study may lead to positive social change through assisting law enforcement and policy makers with revising current policies. This study can also lead to positive social change by providing police officers with essential and effective training that considers how to implement effective relationship with Black citizens.

Download

Share

 
COinS