These sources were the socio-economic background of the police officers, their belief about police professionalism, and the extent and nature of their contact with poor black communities. Data were gathered through a questionnaire and through informal observation at the police department of an eastern city with a population of 150,000, about 28 percent of which is black. The police sample was comprised of 503 officers; however, only 134 questionnaires (26 percent) were returned. The data analysis revealed that officers' socioeconomic background had little effect on the nature of police beliefs about black welfare families. Education was found to be significantly related, but only to a slight extent: better educated officers tended to be more liberal in their racial beliefs. Professionally minded officers, however, were the most likely to be liberal. Finally, contact with welfare families showed no relationships. These results may have been influenced by the survey design itself. The study group was reluctant to participate, and responses may have been influenced by a desire to project a positive image. Therefore, the problems of research execution in suspicious organizations receive considerable attention. Related studies are reviewed, and data are presented in tabular form. Footnotes, a bibliography, and appendixes containing the questionnaire and scoring information are included.