Male minority youth and law enforcement officers' policing perceptions and reported experiences and practices: Qualitative exploration of reciprocal socialization beliefs regarding respect

Abstract

A specific theory-guided, humanity-focused perspective addresses the “how” and “why” of America's long-standing racial tension and the patterned problem of wrongful Black deaths. Qualitative data coding and analysis indicate interpersonal and relational misalignments between male youth of color (MYC) and law enforcement officers (LEO). LEO interview findings highlight professional support needs and safety-relevant tasks and responsibilities; however, MYC interview outcomes emphasize the challenges and assistance needed to successfully complete developmental tasks. The perceptions and reported behaviors of MYCs are highlighted based on data gathered from 44 audio-only one-hour youth interviews and 54 h-and-one-half audio-only Zoom interviews with sworn officers. Youth report that family socialization prepares them for successful encounters with LEOs as MYCs navigate ecologies and pursue developmental objectives. However, LEO judgments about MYC indicate significant expectation misalignments that overlook many youths' vulnerability status attributes, suggesting disconnects in how each group perceives the other. Youth describe parental emphasized respect and obedience socialization directives for use during anticipated interactions with police, which often go unrecognized by LEOs. Thus, familial “reciprocal socialization” instructions provided for youth indicate a source of misalignments in expectations given their apparent invisibility to LEOs; perceptions held by LEOs of MYC do not align with the respect and obedience emphasis provided the latter by families. Youths feel they intentionally follow familial expectations in their encounters, yet law enforcement professionals fail to acknowledge or recognize families' supportive socialization efforts. Inferred is that elements about the identity processes of LEOs and MYCs are consistent with Roberta Rosenberg Simmons's long-term insights.