Police and minority ethnic population relations: Reflections on research in a low‐density area

Many disorderly youths, few serious incidents

“…Even though some studies give a nuanced view of such observations (such as Correia et al, 1996; Jesilow et al, 1996), most scholars are inclined to agree that in particular people from ‘black’ and, to a lesser degree, ‘Hispanic’ and ‘Asian’ communities are less happy with the police than representatives of ‘white’, ‘middle-class’ groups. Not unexpectedly, these findings are mediated through variables such as age, gender, socioeconomic class, income, neighbourhood characteristics and the density of migrant groups in urban areas (see, for example, Carr et al, 2007; Piper and Piper, 1999; Schafer et al, 2003; Schuck et al, 2008; Sharp and Atherton, 2007). Adolescent, non-white males from disadvantaged areas of the city may be presumed to rank lowest in their satisfaction with the police.…”

Partners in Name Only? The Involvement of Black/Minority Ethnic Voluntary Organisations in Coordinated Approaches to Tackling Racial Harassment

“…Following the widely publicised flawed police investigation into the racist murder of Stephen Lawrence, intense attention has understandably focused on the role of the police and its relationship with minority ethnic communities. In addition to extensive media coverage, the responsibilities of the police in this area have also been examined by academics (McLaughlin and Muri, 1999;Piper and Piper, 1999). While the responsibility of the police in preventing and acting on racial incidents and criminal offences is paramount, the complex nature of racial harassment necessitates not only that action be taken by a number of public and voluntary organisations, but that this action be coordinated.…”