Comparison of Race-Gender, Urban-Suburban Criminal Justice College Students Satisfaction of the Police Department

This quantitative study explored criminal justice college students' satisfaction with the police. 176 college students in Suffolk County, Long Island and New York City participated in a survey. The study examined the extent to which satisfaction with the local police department differs by location (urban and suburban), gender (female and male), and race (Black, Latino, and White). The results suggested that students who were from suburban settings had higher levels of satisfaction with the police than students who were from urban settings. In terms of race, White students were significantly more satisfied than Black students. Regarding gender, females tended to have slightly lower satisfaction levels than males. The present findings can be used by urban and suburban police departments to gauge the levels of satisfaction and attitudes towards their institution by upcoming police officers and reflect on their own relations with their communities.