Following a period of political upheaval in 2020, which resulted in remarkable change in public perceptions of police officers, the discussion of police reform has increased. To build positive relations between police officers and the communities they serve, transparency between all parties is crucial. To do so, this study examines police officers’ perceptions of past and present reforms, with a focus on Texas Senate Bill 4; this bill would empower local and state law enforcement agents to enforce immigration law. Through collection and analysis of qualitative data, via interviews, a focus group, and a related survey of police officers, the researchers aim to create a better understanding of police perceptions of policing reforms. A sample of eight police officers from local South Texas precincts are the subject pool for this pilot study. It is the researchers’ hope that a better understanding of any bias held by police officers, and how it might influence their acceptance or rejection of certain reforms, will shed light on how best to approach the public aspect of policing in the future.

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Michelle Ramirez

Department of History, Political Science and Philosophy