Graduation Date
5-2019
Document Type
Senior Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
Department
Communication and Media Studies
Department or Program Chair
Mairi Pileggi, PhD
First Reader
John Duvall, PhD
Abstract
This paper examines a number of case studies and articles concerning media’s depiction of law enforcement and its effects on the officers’ duties to the public. Recent stories of excessive use of force by police throughout the country began a new generation of activists for civil rights, exposed to a more advanced news media. Nationwide coverage displayed an image of law enforcement which was overly aggressive. For citizens who have little to no interaction with law enforcement, this image being depicted is the only basis for definition of what is a “police officer”. Combined with the history of civil rights in the United States, society has grown more anxious and distrusting of law enforcement. Police departments in recent years have established several different programs of training and policy reform in attempts to strengthen the relationship with their communities; yet the image remains. Law enforcement must cooperate with citizens in perilous situations regularly, and may find this difficult should the citizens not trust them.
Included in
Other Communication Commons, Public Policy Commons, Public Relations and Advertising Commons