Racial and Gender Dynamics in Police Use of Force
Background
Research on representative bureaucracy shows that officer and civilian demographics can influence policing outcomes, but little is known about how individual-level differences affect use of force. Understanding these dynamics is critical for informing policies that reduce bias and improve public trust.
Purpose
This study examines how racial, ethnic, and gender matches between officers and civilians influence the amount of force used during police encounters, using individual-level data from the Indianapolis and Dallas police departments.
Outcome
Findings show that officers are more likely to use higher levels of force when there is racial or gender incongruence between themselves and civilians, particularly White officers interacting with Black civilians. These results highlight the importance of considering demographic dynamics in training, policy, and efforts to reduce biased policing.