Graduate Program
College Student Affairs
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Semester of Degree Completion
2017
Thesis Director
Catherine L. Polydore
Abstract
This study examined African American students' perceptions of and experiences with police officers with particular emphasis on campus police in order to determine whether these perceptions and experiences could impact their college experience. Participants were seven African American students from urban areas who attended a midsize university in the rural Midwest during the fall 2017 semester, and who had some interaction with law enforcement. Data was collected from one-on-one semi-structured interviews. Questions were structured to elicit participants' direct or indirect prior experiences with police officers, their perceptions of police officers and campus police, and tacit impact that these experiences and perceptions may have on their college experience. The findings suggest that African American students feel racially profiled by, and hold negative views of police officers. The researcher concludes African Americans feel discriminated against by, and are fearful of police officers. Students' opinions of possible solutions are also presented.
Recommended Citation
Archie, Rishawnda Lenett, "A Qualitative Exploration of African American Students' Perceptions of and Experiences with On-Campus Police" (2017). Masters Theses. 3398.
https://thekeep.eiu.edu/theses/3398
Included in
African American Studies Commons, Higher Education Commons, Higher Education Administration Commons, Race and Ethnicity Commons, Social Control, Law, Crime, and Deviance Commons, Student Counseling and Personnel Services Commons
