Putting the "Community" in Community Policing: Findings from a Cbpar Study in a Rural Appalachian College Town

Background and Purpose:

Marginalized populations, particularly in rural areas, face disproportionate surveillance and exclusion from equitable policing practices (Theall et al., 2022; Weisner et al., 2020; Zare, 2024). These systemic barriers impede access to justice, services, and civic engagement. Although research increasingly examines urban policing, studies in rural contexts remain limited. To address this gap, researchers embarked on a three phase community-based participatory action research (CPBAR) project in a rural Appalachian college town. This presentation focuses on phase one, which was guided by the research question: what are perceptions of policing and public safety in our community, and how can this knowledge inform more inclusive, trusting, and transparent policing practices?

Methods:

Partnering with a civilian police review board established by the city, researchers employed a phenomenological approach to explore stakeholders’ lived experiences. Seven semi-structured focus groups and ten individual interviews were conducted with 34 participants, including unhoused individuals, business owners, advocacy organizations, social service providers, community members, and police department personnel. Snowball sampling and direct outreach facilitated recruitment.

The sample was predominantly white (85.3%), with Black (5.9%), Asian (2.9%), and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (2.9%) participants, reflective of the region’s demographics. Most participants identified as male (61.8%) and socioeconomic status varied, with the largest percentage (38.2%) earning between $50,000 to $100,000 annually. Housing status ranged from homeowners (62.8%) to renters (28.6%) and individuals who were currently unhoused (5.7%).

Sessions were conducted in person and lasted approximately 90-120 minutes. Zoom was used to record and transcribe the sessions. Data were analyzed thematically using Atlas.ti software. Two independent researchers coded transcripts separately and then reconciled coding discrepancies through consensus meetings led by the principal investigator.

Results:

Thematic analysis revealed five key themes: (1) the role of police in public safety; (2) the role of citizens in public safety; (3) perceptions of alignment with the police department’s stated mission; (4) police-community collaboration; and (5) community-driven recommendations. Participants expressed a strong desire for public safety models rooted in transparency, equity, and collaborative engagement. Additionally, researchers will share insights from the university-community partnership process, highlighting successes and challenges encountered, and will outline the planned designs for phases two and three of the CBPAR project.

Conclusion and Implications:

This study demonstrates how community-engaged methods can amplify civilian perspectives in shaping rural policing practices. Findings suggest that community-centered policing strategies may foster trust, reduce harm, and better meet local needs. Given the scarcity of research on rural public safety, this work contributes critical knowledge to guide social work interventions and policy advocacy aimed at promoting equity in underserved communities.

References

Theall, K. P., Wallace, M., Sanchez, T. H., Price, J., & Maddox, R. (2022). Neighborhood police encounters, health, and violence in a southern city. Health Affairs, 41(11), 168–176. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2021.01428

Weisner, L., Otto, H. D., & Adams, S. (2020). Issues in policing rural areas: A review of the literature. Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority. https://icjia.illinois.gov/researchhub/articles/issues-in-policing-rural-areas-a-review-of-the-literature

Zare, H. (2024). Disparities in policing: From theory to practice. American Journal of Public Health, 114(S2), 153–160. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2024.307588