Understanding Pro-Police Sentiment in a Marginalized Group: Evidence from a Hispanic Border Community

Abstract

In recent decades, tensions between law enforcement and African American communities have intensified, symbolized by the Black Lives Matter (BlackLM) and Blue Lives Matter (BlueLM) movements. While the BlackLM movement has garnered widespread attention, few empirical studies have examined the BlueLM movement. This study fills that gap by collecting data from a predominantly Hispanic community to analyze support for the BlueLM movement. Key variables include satisfaction with police contact, political affiliation, and perceptions of racial bias in police use of force. Findings show that among Hispanics, public support for BlueLM is shaped by political identity, personal experiences with the police, and perceptions of fairness in policing practices. Support for BlueLM stems from trust in state institutions and positive interactions with the police. The findings offer insights for community engagement strategies and police reform efforts.