NCJ Number
196448
Journal
Journal of Crime & Justice Volume: 25 Issue: 1 Dated: 2002 Pages: 23-39
Editor(s)
J. Mitchell Miller
Date Published
2002
Length
17 pages
Annotation
This article explores the relationship between legal variables and a citizen’s demeanor when trying to predict if a police interaction will result in arrest.
Abstract
The author developed a study to determine the relationship between citizen demeanor and arrest during citizen/police interaction. Specifically, he noted the work of Klinger (1994) which showed no relationship between demeanor and arrest when reviewing information from Dade County, Florida. To date, Klinger’s results remain something of an anomaly. The author tested four hypotheses: 1) Klinger’s (1994) study utilized flawed methodology or analytical technique; 2) Klinger’s (1994) study produced the correct result; 3) the results of Klinger’s (1994) study were not generalizable; and 4) changes in policing technique have made older conclusions on this matter obsolete. Data for the study were collected from two Chicago police districts. Information from 1,989 non-traffic police/citizen interactions which occurred in 1980 and 1981 was collected. The author utilized a logistic regression to analyze the data and concluded that the potential arrestees’ demeanor had a strong influence on the outcome of the police interaction and was strongly related to the eventual arrest of the citizen. The author concludes with suggestions for further research on the matter. 2 Tables, 23 references, 1 appendix