To serve and protect? The experiences of policing in the community of young people from black and other ethnic minority groups

Abstract

This article presents findings from a study conducted in the West Midlands (UK) which builds on Brunson and Miller's (2006) US study, on young men from ethnic minority groups during their encounters with the police. Using a similar methodological approach, our study seeks to further understand the impact of police misconduct on young people from ethnic minority groups. The reports by the participants are characterized by hostility, lack of confidence in the police and a mistrust of authority, which impacts on the strategies they employ in all their interactions with the police. The findings suggest that there is still much to be done by the police to improve relations with black and other ethnic minority communities. © The Author 2007. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies (ISTD). All rights reserved.