Articles tagged with Police
High temperatures reduce emotional control and increase aggression in police officers, resulting in more dismissals of hot-day arrests. Judges also make harsher decisions on hotter-than-average days, issuing longer prison sentences and higher fines.
A new study found that communities with higher-than-average illegal market opportunities are more likely to be targeted by organised crime groups. Organised crime offenders tend to move into areas with similar socio-demographic profiles and target urban communities with higher levels of criminal activity.
Researchers found an 84% increase in NYC transit complaints following the COVID-19 pandemic declaration, with no return to pre-pandemic levels despite the Subway Safety Plan. The plan's increased police presence led to stronger enforcement of transit policies, but its effect was unclear and may have had unintended consequences.
A new review of IPV policing's generalized consequences reveals survivor criminalization as a commonly studied outcome, with positive associations between mandatory arrest laws and risk of survivor arrest. The authors also identify gaps in the evidence base, including police violence and child protective services involvement.
A study found that women in London trust the police less than anywhere else in the UK, with a significant trust gap among ethnic minorities. The Met's poor recruitment, vetting, and management practices have been cited as contributing factors to this issue.
A study analyzing police homicide rates across 711 local departments finds that at least 1 in 3 police homicides are unnecessary and can be reduced without compromising officer safety.
A new NYU Tandon study found that high-profile incidents of police brutality have a significant impact on public perceptions, influencing negative sentiment and distrust towards police across cities. In contrast, local media coverage of crimes in people's own cities has little sway over their views of the police.
Black adults in the US suffer from short and very short sleep after exposure to news about police killings of unarmed Black individuals. The study's findings suggest that poor sleep health is another tragic byproduct of exposure to these events.
Officer-involved killings of unarmed Black individuals worsened sleep duration among Black respondents, while no adverse effects were found for white respondents. The study highlights the role of structural racism in shaping racial disparities in sleep health.
A study of emergency department visits reveals that most injuries from conducted energy devices, such as TASERs, involve young Black and white males from low-income areas. This finding is consistent with existing research on police violence and racial disparities in the US population.
A new study published in the Annals of Epidemiology found that bisexual individuals reported higher levels of police contact and law enforcement harassment in Canada. The study's authors call for greater police training to improve interactions with sexual minority persons and intervention efforts to support them after adverse experiences.
A study by Florida Atlantic University found that work pressures increased burnout and problematic substance use among first responders, while general workplace support strategies reduced the risk. Conversely, COVID-related support strategies such as compensation during quarantine increased problematic substance use.
Researchers examine how police communicate with communities, highlighting challenges of accommodation and its impact on trust. Effective communication is crucial to improving police-community relations, but police leaders often face difficult decisions that can alienate one group while appeasing another.
A world-first report found that alternative reporting options could help increase the number of women who report sexual assaults to police. Trauma-informed interviews designed in line with best-practice techniques can improve outcomes for victim-survivors of sexual assault who use them.
A leading paediatrician calls for ban on strip searching minors in absence of an adult, citing a
A new study found that anti-bias training significantly improved police performance scores and reduced discrimination-based complaints. Officers who received the training had a small but significant increase in performance scores and a 50% reduction in complaints compared to those who did not receive training.
Researchers have developed a handheld device called MicroNIR that can accurately identify and quantify suspected drug specimens. The device has been shown to be highly accurate, correctly predicting the identity of suspected drugs over 95% of the time.
A new special issue of Criminology & Public Policy explores cybercrime and cybersecurity, highlighting the need for empirical testing and systematic analysis. The 11 studies in the issue build the knowledge base for understanding and addressing cybercrime, improving cybersecurity through theories and methods in criminology.
A study by Brown University researchers found that government-sanctioned overdose prevention centers in New York City were not associated with a significant increase in crime. The analysis of five administrative datasets showed no changes in violent crimes, property crimes, or calls for emergency services in the surrounding neighborhoods.
A study of 48,000 Black women found that those who reported experiences of interpersonal racism faced a higher risk of stroke, even after accounting for other risk factors. This finding suggests a link between racism and racial disparities in stroke incidence among U.S. Black women.
A systematic review found that schools with law enforcement officers had higher rates of suspensions or expulsions without improvements in school crime or violence. Students felt safer but this finding was based on limited data.
A Rutgers study found that 70.5% of law enforcement officers in the US own firearms, with handguns being the most common type. The study also revealed that those with lifetime thoughts of suicide are more likely to own firearms and engage in insecure storage methods.
Using anonymized smartphone data, researchers found that police spend more time patrolling non-white neighborhoods, with disparities linked to socioeconomic and crime-driven demand for policing. The study reveals a strong correlation between racial composition of a neighborhood and police presence.
A study at Washington State University found that implicit bias training improved police behavior toward homeless individuals, particularly in terms of offering polite greetings and de-escalating volatile situations. The trained officers also reported 50% fewer discrimination complaints overall.
A new study has found that forensic fibers can survive underwater for several weeks, contradicting previous beliefs. This discovery could significantly aid in investigations, as police may now be able to search for fibre evidence even after extended exposure times.
A study by the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing explores residents' perspectives on police involvement in mental health crises. Residents are divided on the need for police presence during these incidents, but many support co-deploying officers with healthcare professionals to reduce friction and improve response effectiven...
A new study analyzing over 3,000 women found that more than half of rape survivors had no detectable anogenital injuries, despite being examined by experts. The research challenges the myth that physical violence is always present in rape cases, highlighting the need to support survivors and challenge cultural attitudes towards reporti...
Researchers found that interactive digital face lineups improved identification accuracy, allowing witnesses to actively explore faces and match them to their recollection. The study revealed a significant reduction in misidentifications, with improvements of 27-35% over traditional photo arrays and 35-75% over video lineups.
Operation Mercury successfully halted most illegal gold mining activity in La Pampa, Peru, reducing deforestation and water quality issues. However, spillover effects led to increased mining in legal areas, highlighting the need for stronger regulations to mitigate environmental harm.
A new study found that law enforcement's role in post-overdose outreach programs may undermine their effectiveness. The research highlights the importance of law enforcement data and contact information to reach overdose survivors, but also notes challenges posed by police involvement due to lack of training and negative past experiences.
A study published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs found that use of law enforcement strategies to curb underage drinking has decreased significantly since 2010, with a notable drop in compliance checks and sales provision to underage persons.
A study by University of Maryland security experts found that 61 out of 228 phones contained personal data like social security numbers and credit card information. The researchers accessed these phones using techniques that someone on the street might use, highlighting the ease with which personal data can be accessible.
A new study by the University of Portsmouth highlights the challenges faced by women in achieving career success in policing. The 'Macho culture' of police work discourages hostile behaviors and affects women's progression.
A new analysis re-conceptualizes Colin Kaepernick's NFL lock-out as a denial of his 'right to work' due to structural racism and white supremacy. Researchers compared Kaepernick's case to those of six other Black male athletes who faced similar challenges, finding that he was unfairly penalized for protesting systemic issues.
A new study finds that de facto decriminalization of drug possession in Baltimore led to significant reductions in low-level drug-related arrests, mainly among the Black community. However, racial disparities persisted, with the ratio of street arrests in Black residents increasing after the policy change.
A new study found that police drug seizures are associated with increased fatal overdoses in the surrounding geographic area, suggesting that efforts to disrupt drug markets can have unintended effects. The research highlights the need for comprehensive policing strategies that consider all outcomes, including harm reduction approaches.
A study by University of Surrey found that access to non-police services for domestic abuse victims decreases witness statement provision, but reduces the risk of future incidents. The six-month intervention provided dedicated caseworkers to facilitate access to various support services.
A new study reveals that defence lawyers struggle to access and review digital evidence, citing limitations in format, presentation, and availability. This can lead to missed information and increased risk of miscarriages of justice.
Researchers from the University of Nottingham found that police custody can be a punitive environment for child suspects, leading to resentment and undermining trust. The study recommends adopting a "Child First" approach, prioritizing problem-solving and restorative approaches over detention.
Victims of sexual assault are often blamed for not fighting back, but neuroscientific research suggests this may be due to involuntary immobility. Thirty per cent of women experience sexual assault or rape in their lifetime, and 70% report being 'frozen' during the ordeal.
A new study by researchers at SUNY Albany found that the NY bail reform law had no significant impact on increases in murder, larceny, and motor vehicle theft rates. The study controlled for the COVID-19 pandemic's effect on crime rates, concluding that the law did not contribute to a rise in crimes.
A study found that fatigued law enforcement officers have difficulty collecting information that could bring justice to victims. Researchers linked sleep deprivation to increased resistance from interviewees, decreased ability to establish rapport, and difficulties in managing emotions.
The new model maximizes coverage area and minimizes response time, accounting for hot spots. It outperformed existing techniques in computational testing, improving response times regardless of traffic size.
A recent study found that the police murder of George Floyd led to a three-week spike in firearm assaults on U.S. police officers, but this trend quickly subsided. The researchers caution against using the term 'war on cops' and instead suggest focusing on evidence-based solutions to reduce violence.
A new study by researchers at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee found that diversifying US police departments has no significant impact on clearing aggravated assaults against minorities. The study analyzed data from over 350 agencies and nearly 44,000 incidents, but found no association between diversity measures and clearance rates.
A recent NC State University study examines the relationship between artificial intelligence (AI) and law enforcement. The study reveals that law enforcement agencies must be involved in developing public policies regarding AI technologies, such as autonomous vehicles. Key findings also suggest that many officers lack understanding of ...
Researchers found that federal-local immigration enforcement policies significantly increase violent victimization risk among Latinos, contradicting their purpose of enhancing public safety. The study analyzed NCVS data from 2005-2014 and confirmed individual-level factors as major sources of variation in violent victimizations.
A new analysis shows that places of worship in Washington, D.C. are associated with higher rates of violent and property crime. The study controlled for sociodemographic factors and other crime-risk indicators, suggesting that high foot traffic at these sites may inadvertently fuel crime.
A recent study found that diversity trainings for police officers are ineffective in changing behavior, as intentions to use strategies decrease over time. The researchers recommend embedding lessons with other organizational initiatives and providing 'super-tailored strategies' to address specific daily work activities.
A new study by WVU economist Zachary Porreca found that gentrification can displace organized criminal activity, leading to a surge in gun violence in nearby neighborhoods. The study analyzed data on shootings and real estate across Philadelphia neighborhoods between 2011-2020.
Researchers at George Mason University will assess Seattle Police Department investigations practices and provide recommendations for improvement. The project aims to align the agency with evidence-based approaches in investigations.
A team of Illinois Tech associate professors and an alumnus surveyed over 1,400 British police officers and found that autonomy-supportive communication practices reduced antagonism towards diversity initiatives. The study's lead researcher hopes that this approach will increase cooperation in professions where prejudice is high.
A physician-anthropologist proposes a national decarceration program with a new federal department of community safety and repair. The program would hire two million community health and justice workers to repair the long-term health and economic harm of mass incarceration.
A study from Washington University in St. Louis found that day-long implicit bias-oriented training programs for US police departments are unlikely to reduce racial inequity in policing. Despite increased knowledge and motivation among officers, actual policing behaviors showed little change just one month after the training session.
Researchers at Iowa State University have developed a new procedure to improve eyewitness lineup accuracy and detect suspect guilt or innocence. The 'rule out' procedure adds confidence questions to standard lineups, allowing witnesses to provide more valuable information about their decision.
A new study by University of Exeter researchers found that inefficient risk assessment and digital forensic analysis processes are causing police tensions and slowing down investigations. The study highlights the need for updated understanding of risk and prioritization to address growing demand for digital forensics.
A study by Brown University researchers found that young men in US zip codes with high firearm violence faced significantly higher risks of firearm-related deaths and injuries compared to military personnel serving in Afghanistan and Iraq. The risk was particularly borne by minority racial and ethnic groups.
Recent research suggests that racial prejudice within communities predicts the militarization of local police departments. In contrast, communicating scientific consensus appears to be an effective way to change factual beliefs about contested science topics. Additionally, studies have found that happy people tend to overestimate their...
Researchers analyzed 200 overdose events in Rhode Island city, finding police were last to arrive at scene in most incidents. Arrests were extremely rare, with only 1% of cases involving law enforcement presence due to safety concerns.
Researchers found no fatalities or significant injuries from VNR use, with a 92.6% success rate in taking combative individuals into custody. The study suggests that banning VNR may limit law enforcement's options, and that the technique is a safer alternative.