"I Don't Think I Have, But I've Heard.": Examining Perceptions of Race Relations in the Los Angeles Police Department Among Male Mexican-American Police Officers. (July 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gallardo, Roberto
• Is Part Of: Race and justice. Volume 13:Number 3(2023)
• Page Start: 370
• Page End: 385
• Publication Date: 2023-07
• Subjects: race and policing -- Latino/Hispanic Americans -- race/ethnicity -- critical race theory -- criminological theories -- Latin Americans; Crime and race -- United States -- Periodicals; Discrimination in criminal justice administration -- Periodicals; United States -- Race relations -- Periodicals; 364.089
• DOI: 10.1177/2153368720967442
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2153-3687

Abstract

Male Mexican-American police officers in the LAPD were interviewed about their perception of race relations in the department. The data shows that while officers are aware of the existence of racial tensions, they do not believe or are unsure about if they have experienced racism or discrimination in the department. Respondents do describe hearing claims of racism and discrimination, mostly by African-American officers. It is argued this is due to officers being unversed in how modern forms of racism and discrimination are manifested, as well as respondents comparing their experiences to African-American officers and in the process reifying their version of the Black/White racial binary in the institution, more accurately manifesting as a Non-Black/Black binary.