The National Latino Peace Officers Association and the Police Professionalism Initiative
have forged research a partnership on law enforcement issues!

The partnership will undertake a series of research projects.

The first project, POLICE-HISPANIC/LATINO COMMUNITY OUTREACH, was released in November 2002. The report is a national survey of existing programs that describes the different kinds of programs, their various origins, and  different staffing and funding arrangements. The report is designed to provide guidance to police departments around the country in establishing outreach programs of their own. The outreach report was prepared by Dr. Samuel Walker, Dr. Leigh Herbst, and Dawn Irlbeck.

The second project on Latino police officers, investigating issues related to background, entry into police work, experience as police officers, relations with the Latino community, and promotion to higher rank. Professor Meghan Stroshine of Marquette University is directing this project.  

The third project involves a comparative analysis of Hispanic, white, and African-American contacts with the police, using BJS national police-citizen contact data. This research is being conducted by Chris Gibson.

The Police Professionalism Initiative (PPI) was funded through a special appropriation by the U. S. Congress. PPI is undertaking a number of specific projects designed to enhance police professionalism and accountability over the next three years.  For more information on other law enforcement research please visit them at www.policeaccountability.org/

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