Masters Thesis

Police perspectives in the twenty first century: community-police relations and collective factors related to community police relationships

The perspective of law enforcement officers is considerably absent when reviewing literature on police-community relations. Currently, most research encompasses the opinions of policy makers, academics, and the community. Thirty officers from a local law enforcement agency participated in focus groups wherein they shared their perceptions about their relationship with the community, training they receive, the impact of technology, and the effects of high-profile cases. Technology in this study refers to news media, cell phone usage, social media, and body-worn cameras. Results suggest that participating officers felt positive about their relationship with the local community. Officers expressed their support for body-worn cameras and identified positive changes associated with the use of body-worn cameras that they appreciate. However, some officers expressed inadvertent consequences of the implementation of body-worn cameras. Additionally, officers discussed the repercussions of the media on the relationship between police and citizens. Study limitations and implications for further research are also discussed.

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