Theses and Dissertations
Date of Award
2024
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice
Advisor
Larry Massey
Committee Member
Brooke Elvington
Committee Member
Grace Telesco
Committee Member
Marcelo Castro
Keywords
Black Police Officers, Diversity, Gender, Lived Experiences, Mental Health, Occupational Stress
Abstract
This study was conducted to learn about the unique challenges Black police officers face by exploring their lived experiences. This study looked at how these current and retired Black police officers navigate racial diversity, handle occupational stress and how their mental health is affected. The research was prompted by the lack of existing literature that focuses specifically on the lived experiences of Black police officers, as most studies of policing do not address this population in depth. Through Zoom interviews with a small group of officers, this study revealed their struggles at work and in their personal lives. By sharing their voices, this study allows an unresearched understanding of the experiences of Black police officers and offers valuable insights into their lives.
The results of this study showed that these officers dealt with problems like racism, sexism, and unfair treatment when they did get promotions because of their race. These challenges and the lack of support available to Black officers caused them undue stress and mental health challenges. To handle these issues, the officers went to therapy, found comfort in their families, and turned to hobbies for relief. They became mentors, advocated for change, and focused on community service.
In addition to internal discrimination, some officers advised they experienced discrimination from the communities they policed while on duty. These officers developed resilience through exercise, community involvement, mentoring, and organization memberships which catered specifically to Black police officers.
NSUWorks Citation
Manina Jeudy. 2024. Shades of Service: Navigating Racial Diversity, Mental Health, and Occupational Stress Among Black Police Officers. Doctoral dissertation. Nova Southeastern University. Retrieved from NSUWorks, Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice. (1094)
https://nsuworks.nova.edu/fse_etd/1094.