Representing Personal and Professional Identities in Policing
Background
Representation of diverse identities in government is linked to equal employment, symbolic legitimacy, and improved public service outcomes. In policing, officers’ personal identities interact with professional roles in ways that can shape relationships with the communities they serve.
Purpose
This study uses qualitative interviews with 32 frontline police officers to examine how personal and professional identities intersect and how these intersections either enhance or constrain the benefits of representative bureaucracy in policing.
Outcome
The findings show that shared sociodemographic identities between officers and community members can foster understanding and reduce social distance. At the same time, identity-based tensions emerge, with White officers navigating culture shock and learning curves, and officers of color managing competing expectations tied to empathy and professional detachment. Ultimately, the study highlights that officers’ behaviors and interactions with the public can mitigate symbolic identity barriers and play a critical role in effective community engagement.