No Easy Answer: Representative Bureaucracy and Police Use of Force

Herrera, Jacob

doi:10.15760/hgjpa.2019.3.2.8

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

References 19 publications

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“…However, research examining the effects of representation have found varied results. For example, in a review of use of force literature, Herrera (2019) found little evidence to suggest that greater minority representation led to less use of force against minority groups. Contrastingly, Wright and Headley (2020) found gender and race representation in police agencies reduced use of force.…”

Section: Institutional Theorymentioning

confidence: 99%

Using Competing Theories to Explain Variations in U.S. Police Departments’ Reported use of Force Counts

Riles

2022

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Using data from the 2013 Law Enforcement Management and Administrative Statistics (LEMAS) survey, the current study provides a cross-sectional analysis of U.S. police departments’ reported use of force. The goal of this study was to examine the extent to which departments’ reported force counts were explained by rational bureaucratic and/or institutional theory. Given the stark variations in reported force counts, a hurdle model was used to examine the potential effects of the theories on departments’ likelihoods of reporting force and the frequency in which they reported it. The results highlighted the significance of both theories. In terms of rational bureaucratic theory, the results illustrate that the absence of a collective bargaining agreement and greater professionalism requirements reduced departments’ likelihoods of reporting force, while less restrictive administrative policies increased departments’ likelihoods of reporting force and the frequencies in which they reported it. In terms of institutional theory, the results revealed that black officer representation reduced both the likelihood of reporting force and the frequency of force reported. However, increases in jurisdictions’ population and crime rates, for the most part, increased force reports. Combined the theories explained over one-fifth of the variations in departments’ reported use of force for the observed year. The findings suggest that successful efforts to reduce force-related injuries and deaths should consider the contextual environments in which rules and regulations regarding force are made.

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Section: Institutional Theorymentioning

confidence: 99%

Using Competing Theories to Explain Variations in U.S. Police Departments’ Reported use of Force Counts

Riles

2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

No Easy Answer: Representative Bureaucracy and Police Use of Force

Cited by 1 publication

References 19 publications

Using Competing Theories to Explain Variations in U.S. Police Departments’ Reported use of Force Counts

Using Competing Theories to Explain Variations in U.S. Police Departments’ Reported use of Force Counts

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