Citation

Chenane J, Wu J, Song JHL. Afr. J. Crimol. Justice Stud. 2017; 10(1): 19-38.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, University of Maryland - Eastern Shore)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Although there is an enormous amount of scholarship on public perceptions of the police, few studies have had an interest in refugees' opinions. Using a survey instrument, the current study aims to understand the adaptation of refugees to the American criminal justice system by focusing on how they perceive police officers in two mid-sized cities in the northeastern region. We explore whether there are differences in perceived police prejudice, police effectiveness, and respect for the police between African and non-African refugees. In addition, we identify factors that affect refugees' perceptions.

FINDINGS from ordinary least squares and multinomial regression analyses indicate that, overall, African refugees perceive the police in a way similar to non-African refugees. Two nondemographic characteristics also play a significant role: Fear of crime and poor communication most likely result in refugees' negative evaluations of the police.


Keywords: refugee, race, police, law enforcement, perception

Language: en