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Perceptions of Police Among Hispanic Immigrants of Mexican Origin in the Southeast United States

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Abstract

Studies have repeatedly shown that members of minority groups are likely to hold less favorable perceptions of the police than their white counterparts. Relying on a unique sample of nearly 70 Hispanic immigrants, this study expands current knowledge on correlates of Hispanics’ perceptions of police. Overall, findings of this study indicate Hispanic immigrants of Mexican descent generally hold favorable views of the police. Results also suggest, however, that those who came to the US through illegal channels are significantly less likely to hold positive perceptions of police than those who relocated through legal channels. Furthermore, a preliminary analysis to assess the level of understanding that Hispanic immigrants have of police, including their role and function in American society, was conducted. Findings indicate there is a high level of misunderstanding concerning police services among this population. Based on our results, we discuss policy implications and future directions for research.

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Notes

  1. The term ‘African American’ is used interchangeably with ‘black.’

  2. For purposes of this study, the terms ‘Hispanic’ and ‘Latino’ are used interchangeably.

  3. Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act allows selected state, county, and local law enforcement officers to perform the functions of federal immigration agents.

  4. The jurisdiction of the Little Rock Mexican Consulate includes Arkansas, eastern Oklahoma and western Tennessee

  5. Between 2000 and 2005, Arkansas had the fastest growing Hispanic population of any state in the nation, and ranked fourth among the states in overall immigration population growth (Capps et al., 2007).

  6. Respondents who identified themselves as native citizens of the US were excluded from the analyses

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Alex Piquero and the anonymous reviewers for providing insightful comments on previous versions of this paper.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Criminal Justice, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, 2801 S. University, Little Rock, AR, 72204, USA

    Rocio Roles, Stacy C. Moak & Tusty ten Bensel

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  1. Rocio Roles
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Correspondence to Rocio Roles.

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Roles, R., Moak, S.C. & ten Bensel, T. Perceptions of Police Among Hispanic Immigrants of Mexican Origin in the Southeast United States. Am J Crim Just 41, 202–219 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12103-015-9299-1

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