Mental Illness, Race, and Policing
The Politics of Policing: Between Force and Legitimacy
ISBN: 978-1-78635-030-5, eISBN: 978-1-78635-029-9
Publication date: 10 June 2016
Abstract
Purpose
Previous research on community attitudes toward the police focuses on suspect race as an important predictor of attitudes toward law enforcement and police use of force. Generally, missing from these studies, however, is the role of mental illness, both independently and in conjunction with race, and its effect on perceptions of police. This chapter summarizes our recent research addressing two issues: (1) how race and mental illness of suspects affect perceptions of the appropriateness of police use of force, and (2) how race and mental illness of citizens affect perceptions of police.
Methodology/approach
We examine these issues by summarizing research obtained through The Portland Race and Mental Illness Project (PRMIP), a survey administered to residents of Portland, Oregon. For our first topic, we use an experimental vignette that randomly alters race and mental health status of suspects. For our second topic, we ask respondents to self-report race, mental health status, and perceptions of the police.
Findings
Our dual focus provides two key findings: first, citizens’ perceptions of police use of force are affected by suspect race and mental health status. Second, like Black citizens, citizens with mental illness also have a negative impression of law enforcement.
Originality/value
Our research builds on research indicating racial disparity in trust in police by showing that mental illness – both that of the respondent and that of a suspect – affects attitudes toward the police. These results suggest that mental health status affects attitudes toward law enforcement and should be considered in future research and public policy.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Acknowledgment
The authors thank Marlon Marion, Ryan Stafford, Robin Clough, James Foutch, and Dylan Waite for research assistance.
Citation
Thompson, M., Kahn, K.B., McMahon, J. and O’Neil, M. (2016), "Mental Illness, Race, and Policing", The Politics of Policing: Between Force and Legitimacy (Sociology of Crime, Law and Deviance, Vol. 21), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 175-196. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1521-613620160000021010
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2016 Emerald Group Publishing Limited