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A new approach in the enhancement of student-law enforcement relations on college campuses: A case study of the University of Massachusetts
Abstract
This study examines factors in achieving a more nurturing and secure environment for minority students at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. The study probes: (1) The existing issues and problems minority students face with on-campus police officers at the University of Massachusetts. (2) The role of higher administrators (chancellor, provost, deans) in dealing with these problems, and student and officer perceptions of the administrators' commitment toward resolving them (3) The issues higher administration will encounter while creating a better relationship between minority students and law enforcement officers. (4) The feelings, perceptions and views held by students and officers and how these may affect their communication and interactions. The researcher found mutual dissatisfaction in the relationships between minority students and on-campus police officers. Evidence of this poor relationship is seen in past incidents involving minority students and police. Through protests and other unpleasant encounters with minority students, the police have gained insight into the feelings that exist between them and students. Generally, most minority students believe that the ill feelings between the two groups have affected the quality and character of the service they receive from police. An example of this can be seen in accusations of high rates of car stoppage of minority students, in particular African-American male students. This issue is not new to college campuses, rather it is an escalating phenomenon that embraces relations between the minority community and police in society at large. Data provide administrators with a deeper insight into the issues involved. These issues include stereotyping and a lack of understanding about each other's roles. This information is critically needed, especially in light of the fact that there is no published research on this issue. This study provides first-of-a-kind information. This research involved the two groups (minority students and police officers) in sharing their perceptions and ideas. Understanding their feelings is an important aspect of this study. The researcher distinguished between feelings and theory through methodologies of data collection: (1) direct observation, (2) informal open-ended interviews, and (3) examination of University documents.
Subject Area
Educational administration|Criminology|Educational sociology|Multicultural Education
Recommended Citation
Walters, Evon Washington, "A new approach in the enhancement of student-law enforcement relations on college campuses: A case study of the University of Massachusetts" (1993). Doctoral Dissertations Available from Proquest. AAI9329680.
https://scholarworks.umass.edu/dissertations/AAI9329680