Racial attitudes and perceptions of police misconduct: The case for racial empathy

Abstract

This study examines the association between racial attitudes and perceptions of police misconduct in the US, focusing on racial empathy as a form of positive racial sentiment that may work alongside racial resentment to shape public views on police bias and use of force. Using data from the 2020 American National Election Studies (ANES) time series survey, an exploratory factor analysis demonstrates that racial empathy and racial resentment are distinct constructs. Multivariate regression analyses indicate that respondents with racial empathy are more likely to believe that police treat white people better than they treat Black people and that police frequently use more force than necessary. Respondents with racial resentment are less likely to believe these perceptions. Racial empathy is a racial attitude that can shape attitudes towards crime and justice. Future research should consider racial empathy in investigating ways that racial attitudes shape public opinion on crime and justice policy.