Chinese Immigrants' Perceptions of the Police in the United States: The case of Chicago's Chinatown

To maximize the effectiveness of their actions, American law enforcement frequently relies on public compliance and law-abiding conduct. Concerning the growing Asian immigrant population in the United States and the in-group diversities, it is imperative that police departments recognize the differences between Asian ethnic groups, as well as their perceptions of law enforcement agencies and their specific needs. This paper examines the perceptions of the police among Chinese immigrants in Chinatown, Chicago. Findings indicate that Chinese immigrants in Chinatown tend to view the American police through the lens of their experience in the United States, their knowledge of police in their home countries, and their social networks. In the racially segregated community, Chinese immigrants have a more positive view of the police. This is partially consistent with previous research indicating that immigrants tend to have a more positive attitude towards law enforcement. However, factors such as length of residence do not significantly affect Chinese immigrants' perceptions of law enforcement. In addition, the extremely homogenous community has cast some shadows on the lives of Chinese immigrants in American society.