NCJ Number
170269
Journal
Justice Quarterly Volume: 14 Issue: 3 Dated: (September 1997) Pages: 577-586
Date Published
1997
Length
10 pages
Annotation
An experimental study sought to determine the effects of racial identity of the police on citizen perceptions of police brutality.
Abstract
The researchers produced three videotapes. Each depicted a black male suspect being arrested by two police officers. The police were actually members of a university campus security agency who were instructed to use standard operating procedures in making the arrest. The hypothetical suspect resisted slightly; thus, the police officers had to use a moderate amount of force. The racial identity of the police officers varied with each videotape through the use of face masks consisting of light or dark panty hose. In the different videotapes the officers were both white, both black, or one of each race. Police caps, uniforms, and gloves covered the officers' other features. Twenty-eight white college students and 33 black college students each viewed one version of the tape. The participants were randomly assigned to the tapes. Results revealed that the participants perceptions of violence and illegality were influenced by the racial identity of the police officers. Both black and white participants were significantly more likely to see violence and illegality when both arresting officer were white. Findings suggested that police-community relations will be severely strained whenever exclusively white police are stationed in minority communities. Tables, footnotes, and 31 references (Author abstract modified)