The division and distrust between law enforcement and young, marginalized populations is an increasing concern throughout the nation. This study examines a national police-youth mentoring program with the potential to foster positive relationships between police and communities. In-depth interviews with 13 police mentors reveal several important impacts of mentoring on participants from 3 regions of the United States. Respondents discussed how mentoring may impact youth development, police–youth relations, crime, and police both personally and professionally. This study also reveals expectations and assumptions shared by police mentors regarding the impacts mentoring relationships could have on youth.
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