Policing the Campus Rainbow: The Role of Campus Law Enforcement in the Perceptions and Experiences of LGBTQ+ Students' Safety

In a qualitative case study utilizing student focus groups, individual student interviews, individual interviews with the Chief of Police, and document analysis of annual campus safety guides and police websites, this study explored the perceptions and experiences that LGBTQ+ students had of their campus police agency. With a total of 18 participants, all identifying within the LGBTQ+ student population, the study found that students are unaware of their campus police agency's positionality on LGBTQ+ and have experienced discrimination from their agency based on their gender expression. Further findings showcased that the campus police agency wants to better their relationship with LGBTQ+ students and is willing to collaborate with minorized student groups to ensure the effectiveness of their community policing model. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]