Date of Conferral
2023
Degree
Ph.D.
School
Criminal Justice
Advisor
Melanye Smith
Abstract
Recent high-profile incidents involving police interaction with Black citizens have increased community outrage and racial divisions between police and African Americans. Despite previous research on relations between African Americans and police, little literature has focused on the lived experiences of college-educated African American males when interacting with police. In the study 12 participants were interviewed. The analytical approach was grounded theory, which identified seven themes that most of the men had in common. One shared lived experience expressed the need for collaborative and inclusive policies that prevent bias, police brutality, and wrongful arrest and detention of the African American community. A recommendation is that federal, state, and local governments allot funding and to police departments and communities to equip them with both training and financial resources that support reducing racial and implicit bias and promote collaboration of citizens and police that build trust and improve public safety. Findings may be used by police administrators for positive social change in improving the interactions between citizens and police.
Recommended Citation
Charles, Lawerence Eric, "Lived Experiences of College-Educated African American Males During Police Interactions in Central Kentucky" (2023). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 11645.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/11645
