An Examination of the Narratives Surrounding Policing: Interviews With Criminal Justice Students and Public Information Officers

Abstract

This research examines the current narratives surrounding policing as well as the media's impact on these narratives. Interviews with undergraduate criminal justice students at Texas Christian University and public information officers in the Dallas/Fort Worth area were conducted to explore opinions on the media's framing of policing as well as opinions on the field of policing. Results of student interviews suggest that differences exist between men and women in attitudes toward policing, that the media's current presentation of policing may dissuade students from considering police work as a career, and that investing in a college degree may be a factor in deterring students from considering police work as a career. Results of officer interviews suggest that officers find a college degree to be helpful in the operation of their roles, that officers are generally concerned for the future of policing but believe that community-based policing tactics may help improve community relations, and that officers feel that the media has recently placed policing under a microscope.