Police Accountability: The Role of Diversity and Civilian Review Boards
Background
Race has been central to U.S. policing, and racial disparities continue in stops, arrests, and use of force. In response, increasing minority representation and establishing civilian review boards have been proposed as ways to improve accountability and reduce coercive policing.
Purpose
This study uses a contingency model of representative bureaucracy to examine whether the effect of minority representation on police use of force depends on the presence of civilian review boards. Using national-level data and OLS regression, it analyzes both independent and interactive effects.
Outcome
The findings show that higher levels of minority representation within police departments are associated with lower rates of police use of force. Importantly, this effect is stronger in departments that also have civilian review boards, suggesting that representation is most effective when combined with formal accountability mechanisms. The study demonstrates that increasing diversity in policing is an important step, but that its ability to reduce harmful outcomes is enhanced when supported by external oversight, offering important implications for police reform and democratic accountability.