,1,College of Psychology and Community Services
Revisioning Criminal Justice: 2022 and Beyond Virtual Symposium
March 30, 2022
Presenters:
Kimberley Blackmon, PhD
Lois Woods, PhD
Session Abstract:
Controversy surrounding the BLM movement and the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, has been felt even within the ranks of policing. Participation of police officers in the Capitol riot seemed to be at odds with the duty and responsibility of those officers who sustained serious injuries that day. Using data collected from active law enforcement officers, the current study examines how political identity may play a role in a police officer’s perceptions of law enforcement engagement in political protests. The only significant difference found was police refraining from engaging in or participating with BLM. No other significant relationship existed between political identity and protest with other groups by police. These findings suggest that while there may be some reluctance to engage in BLM by police, there is not overwhelming evidence to suggest that police officers are politically motivated in their opinions of public protest.
Police Officer Political Identity and Their Opinions of Public Protests Article: https://jcjl.pubpub.org/pub/v5i1c9x617lb/release/1
