Interracial encounters with the police: findings from the NCVS police-public contact survey

Abstract The public regularly encounter law enforcement. In an era of the Blacks Lives Matter movement and associated discord with law enforcement, understanding the contours of police--public relations and its potential consequences are paramount. Using national level data of police stops, we attempt to identify factors that influence attitudes of respect and legitimacy toward the police. Findings reveal that, among other things, race impacts perceptions of law enforcement through the interracial characteristics of encounters, a context in which some citizens are more likely to question police legitimacy even after controlling for other salient factors. Policy considerations are discussed.