Assessing LGBT People’s Perceptions of Police Legitimacy

Substance use among sexual and gender minorities: Association with police discrimination and police mistrust

“…The police are tasked "to protect and to serve" their communities (Lambda Legal, 2015; Los Angeles Police Department), and yet their ability to do so is dependent upon whether communities perceive that the police "ought to be obeyed," or are legitimate (Tyler, 2004). The perceived legitimacy of the police is shaped by the actions of the police, such that supportive and respectful treatment from the police increases perceptions of police legitimacy, and conversely, problematic and disrespectful treatment decreases legitimacy (Dario et al, 2019). Arguably, widespread discriminatory treatment leads to police mistrust, thus eroding police legitimacy (Dario et al, 2019;Mallory et al, 2015).…”

“…The perceived legitimacy of the police is shaped by the actions of the police, such that supportive and respectful treatment from the police increases perceptions of police legitimacy, and conversely, problematic and disrespectful treatment decreases legitimacy (Dario et al, 2019). Arguably, widespread discriminatory treatment leads to police mistrust, thus eroding police legitimacy (Dario et al, 2019;Mallory et al, 2015). Working to improve the legitimacy of the police among SGM communities by ameliorating SGM discriminatory treatment and improving police trust could have far reaching implications for reducing the stigmatization of SGM identities and subsequently improving the health of SGM individuals, including reducing inequities in substance use and related problems.…”

“…Working to improve the legitimacy of the police among SGM communities by ameliorating SGM discriminatory treatment and improving police trust could have far reaching implications for reducing the stigmatization of SGM identities and subsequently improving the health of SGM individuals, including reducing inequities in substance use and related problems. Importantly, criminological research on policing suggests a number of ways to improve police legitimacy including (a) screening for homophobic and transphobic (as well a racist and sexist) attitudes in law enforcement hiring practices, (b) enacting nondiscrimination policies and profiling bans that include protections for sexual and gender minorities and provide clear instructions to officers who respond to incidents involving SGM community members, (c) requiring ongoing SGM training for all law enforcement personnel-an effort that has recently been enacted statewide in CA, and (4) institutionalizing oversight, such as codifying procedures and appointing SGM community liaisons to address discrimination and harassment complaints as well as facilitate contact between the police and SGM community members (Dario et al, 2019;Lambda Legal, 2015;Mallory et al, 2015;Nalagan, 2018;Rose, 2003).…”

Victim, Police, and Prosecutorial Responses to Same-Sex Intimate Partner Violence: A Comparative Approach

“…Finally, and relatedly, victims of same-sex IPV may lack confidence in the effectiveness of law enforcement officers and other criminal justice actors in dealing with their case (e.g., Aulivola, 2004;Brown & Herman, 2015;Burke et al, 2002;Eaton et al, 2008;Goodmark, 2013;Stapel, 2007;Wolff & Cokely, 2007). In other words, recent research has indicated that perceptions of police legitimacy may be especially low among the LGB population (e.g., Dario et al, 2019;Owen et al, 2017). Indeed, while recent research conducted by the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP, 2015) found that the majority of LGB victims reported their experiences with IPV to the police, a number of other studies have found that LGB victims did not believe that police would be helpful in addressing such victimization incidents (McClennen et al, 2002;Owen et al, 2017;Poorman, 2001;Renzetti, 1988;Turrell, 2000).…”

“So Much for Protect and Serve”: Queer Male Survivors’ Perceptions of Negative Police Experiences

“…Along with the differences among queer men of color, this study reveals age differences among White queer men. In this sense, this article adds to theorizing on social change that has occurred in the United States regarding the relationship between LGBTQIA people and the police (Dario et al, 2019;Steele et al, 2018;Stewart-Winter, 2016). Historically, sexual minorities have been broadly associated with criminality, which has resulted in a wide range of policing practices, including, perhaps most famously, bar raids (Buist & Lenning, 2016;Meyer, 2019;Stewart-Winter, 2016).…”