Racial, ethnic, and gender differences in perceptions of the police: the salience of officer race within the context of racial profiling

摘要

The purpose of this study was to examine whether racial variation in evaluations of police behavior is mediated by officer's race. In essence, the study attempts to examine whether feelings of distrust vary depending on the race of the officer among ethnic and racial minorities. The study comes on the heels of previous research linking negative feelings, distrust, and lack of confidence in the police among blacks and Hispanics. Additionally, the authors argue that the disproportionate treatment of minorities across the criminal justice system has led to development of the concept of racial profiling and with it less favorable evaluations toward law enforcement on behalf of minorities.