Date of Conferral

4-1-2025

Date of Award

April 2025

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Public Policy and Administration

Advisor

Ali Banister

Abstract

United States police officers' use of force is an ongoing concern of many community members. As these encounters continue to occur, lawmakers in states, including South Carolina (SC), have revitalized or implemented statutes addressing the use of force. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to better understand the use of force in law enforcement from the perspectives of community members in the Low Country region of SC. The rational model and contact hypothesis served as the study’s foundation. Data were collected from interviews with 10 participants over the age of 18 from Charleston, SC, a city within the Low Country region. The interviews were transcribed and content analyzed. The findings highlight the importance of state officials taking the lead in educating and training their local police agencies collectively on the use of force. One recommendation for leaders of local police departments is to implement events for adults akin to the various youth programs that are currently in place; an annual national night out would allow officers to interact with and get to know adult community members in a positive setting. Additionally, police department officials and media sources are encouraged to collaborate with one another to deliver accurate information to the public on use of force encounters. Help from all parties might improve the public’s perception of police officers’ use of force. This study may promote positive social change by providing information on the new reform bill in SC. Lowering use of force in the Low Country region of SC may benefit the region’s police departments and the community.

Download

Share

 
COinS