NCJ Number
217121
Journal
Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice Volume: 22 Issue: 4 Dated: November 2006 Pages: 324-346
Date Published
November 2006
Length
23 pages
Annotation
Using data on the use of force by police officers in one Mexican, one American, and three Venezuelan police departments, this study tested Don Black's theory (1976) that police use of force is determined by the social characteristics of the targets of the force rather than the target's behavior.
Abstract
Study findings did not support Black's theory. Instead, they showed that the key predictor of police officers' use of force was the citizen's behavior in his/her interaction with police. The prediction that officers would be disposed to use more force against lower status citizens was not confirmed; occupational status was rarely associated with police use of force. In fact, officers were more likely to use force against individuals of higher social status. The study presented officers in the various departments with vignettes that described hypothetical encounters between a police officer and a citizen. The vignettes were identical except for systematic variation in two elements. Two vignettes described aggression (citizen shoots at the officer and a citizen threatens an officer with a tire iron). One vignette described resistance, and two described insults. For each vignette, there were two versions, one involving a high-status citizen and another that involved a low-status citizen. Officers were given the following options in selecting how they would act in dealing with the encounter: use verbal control only; use physical restraint (grabbing and holding without hitting); use physical striking techniques (fists, elbows, knees, or feet); use an impact weapon (hitting with a PR-24 or baton); or use a gun (shooting). 5 tables, 18 notes, 57 references, and appended vignettes