The presence of distrust in the police and how they perform their work among ethnic minority youths in socially underprivileged areas is well established. Experiences of, or beliefs about, unfair treatment from the police can be viewed both as an indicator and a consequence of exclusion. It is well-known that negative experiences of the police are more significant for trust in the police and their legitimacy than positive ones, with some even suggesting that positive experiences do not matter at all. However, from a procedural justice perspective it has been suggested that some positive experience do matter, particularly if the police are considered to perform their work in line with procedural fairness. On the basis of a participant observation study, this article discusses situations in which youths express complaints about the police in different ways. In response to such situations, the police can act in both exclusionary and inclusive ways. It is argued that youths’ complaints can be used as an opportunity for change if the police treat the youths concerned with fairness and in inclusive rather than exclusionary ways.
Categories
Latest News
CfP European Journal of Policing Studies - Special Issue: The Dynamics of Police Stops
European Journal of Policing Studies Special Issue: The Dynamics of Police Stops Guest editors: Mike Rowe Sofie de Kimpe Vincenzo…
Read morePolstops Newsletter n4 (June 2022)
At last, we have been able to meet again. And we can now begin to identify what we have missed…
Read moreSpecial issue on POLICE ENCOUNTERS
A Special Issue on POLICE ENCOUNTERS of the Journal of Organizational Ethnography guest edited by Megan O’Neill, Mike Rowe, Sofie…
Read moreDoctoral and Early Career Training School 'Writing about Police Stops' - Call for Expressions of Interest
Location: Florence Dates: 2 – 6 May 2022 The EU Cost Action on Police Stops (CA17102) invites applications from Doctoral…
Read moreTo know more or to become part of this Action
Contact UsSubscribe to our newsletter

COST Action COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) is a funding agency for research and innovation networks. Our Actions help connect research initiatives across Europe and enable scientists to grow their ideas by sharing them with their peers. This boosts their research, career and innovation.