Black women less positive about local policing than Black men: survey

A new survey has revealed gender gaps between Black Americans’ perceptions of police.

The survey, conducted by Gallup, found that 52 percent of Black women have confidence in their local police, compared to 60 percent of Black men. 

Sixty-eight percent of Black women feel police “would treat them with courtesy and respect in an interaction” compared to 74 percent of Black men. And while 67 percent of Black men feel police treat people like them fairly, only 57 percent of Black women agree.

Overall, Black Americans’ perceptions of policing in their community remain more negative than white Americans’ perceptions, but the gender gap is most pronounced among Black men and women.

Among white Americans, perceptions of fair treatment differ by only 1 point for white men and women and by only 3 points for Hispanic men and women. Among Black adults, the gap is 10 points.

Multiple reports have shown that Black Americans are more likely to be stopped by police than white Americans and are killed by police at higher rates than any other group. 

The new Gallup survey reports that Black women are also disproportionately likely to be killed by police, but these deaths receive less media attention than others. 

The survey comes as the nation continues to grapple with discussions around police brutality and reform. Although there have been some changes at state levels, Congress has stalled in passing federal legislation. 

The most comprehensive federal package, the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, was introduced in 2021 after Floyd was murdered by a white police officer in Minneapolis. 

But Republican and Democratic lawmakers remain at an impasse on some components, including an end to no-knock warrants and qualified immunity.