Date

3-10-2026

Department

Helms School of Government

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy in Criminal Justice (PhD)

Chair

Joshua Lee Adams

Keywords

Muslim Leaders, Neighborhood Policing, NYPD

Disciplines

Public Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration | Social and Behavioral Sciences

Abstract

This qualitative descriptive study explored Muslim community leaders’ perceptions of the New York City Police Department’s (NYPD) neighborhood policing strategy in communities disproportionately affected by post-9/11 Islamophobia and surveillance. Guided by Tajfel’s (1978) social identity theory, the study examined how leaders’ understandings of group identity, trust, and belonging shaped their views of police, neighborhood policing, and the perceived risks of radicalization or violent extremism. The focus on Muslim leaders addressed a gap in predominantly law-enforcement–centered scholarship on Muslim–police relations in the United States. A qualitative methodology was chosen to generate a rich, practice-relevant account of how leaders described neighborhood policing in their own terms, rather than relying on pre-specified variables or fixed survey instruments. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 Muslim community leaders (11 men, two women), aged 30–65, serving as imams, commissioners, activists, or community organizers in New York City neighborhoods where neighborhood policing is implemented. Participants were recruited through a clergy liaison and snowball sampling to emphasize cultural sensitivity, confidentiality, and trust. Data were collected using a self-authored interview guide and short demographic questionnaire, supplemented by reflexive memos, and analyzed in NVivo using reflexive thematic analysis following Braun and Clarke’s six-phase approach. Analysis produced six interrelated themes describing: positive community–police engagement and cultural sensitivity; concerns about officer competence, communication barriers, and police reputation; efforts to build trust and feelings of safety; the influence of surveillance histories and limited policy awareness on perceptions of legitimacy; and ongoing challenges of stereotyping and representation. The findings deepen understanding of how neighborhood policing is received within New York City’s Muslim communities and clarify perceived links between community-level policing initiatives, trust in law enforcement, and vulnerability to violent extremism. These insights can guide policymakers and law enforcement agencies in designing neighborhood policing strategies that respect civil rights, foster shared identity, and partner more effectively with Muslim leaders.

Download

Share

COinS