Articles tagged with Police
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.
Research finds that school discipline and policing predict higher levels of substance use, developmental risk, binge drinking, smoking, and violence among students. The study also highlights the need for resources and services to address root causes of disciplinary and health problems.
A UK study has found that officers with strong support networks and a sense of meaningful work have lower rates of Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD), highlighting the need for improvements in police working lives.
A new study found that mental health-related incidents remained relatively stable despite pandemic restrictions, contradicting claims of increased incidents. Researchers recommend focusing on preventative measures like housing and social services to address mental health issues.
Researchers aim to shift policing focus from law enforcement to building strong communities through situational policing. The approach considers connections within the community and collaboratively builds resources.
A new study from North Carolina State University reveals that law enforcement is not uniformly recognizing and respecting the legal protections in place to support harm reduction programs. Despite these protections, more than half of survey participants reported negative experiences with law enforcement, including confiscation of suppl...
A Rutgers study reveals that the US has a higher rate of fatal police shootings (3.1 per million) compared to similarly developed countries like France and Australia. The study suggests that police training duration and content play a significant role in determining lethal policing outcomes.
The study found that PSN programs had a statistically significant impact on reducing crime, with focused deterrence strategies being a favored approach. However, there were geographical gaps in the studies reviewed, and the researchers identified areas for future evaluators to consider.
A new study published in the Journal of Policing, Intelligence & Counter-Terrorism found that most posts in extremist online forums are made by a clique of highly committed members. The research, led by Professor Stephane Baele and Dr Lewys Brace, analyzed over 12 million unique posts across eight far-right, seven Salafi-jihadist, and ...
A new report from the University of Portsmouth reveals significant failings in the management of interview processes, leading to potential cases being put at risk. The LOST WEBSITES framework provides a practical solution for police forces to improve their training on high-stake investigations.
A new study by Edith Cowan University identified the most common injury types and body regions affected among police recruits, with knee injuries having the greatest impact. The study also found that men under 30 had a substantially reduced injury risk, highlighting the importance of tailored training programs to reduce injury rates.
Researchers found evidence of extreme police brutality and forced expulsions of hundreds of asylum seekers from Croatia, with over 25,000 people affected. The study also reveals the use of 'chain pushbacks' involving multiple EU countries and Croatian police violence against migrants.
Researchers examined law enforcement interactions with patients and clinicians in an urban emergency department, highlighting their impact on patient care. The study's findings suggest that effective communication between law enforcement officers and healthcare providers is crucial for safe and efficient patient treatment.
A Rutgers study suggests that using automated traffic safety cameras as a tool to limit racially divisive interactions with the police can increase public support. The research found that emphasizing the technology's role in reducing racial profiling and minimizing police-driver interactions can broaden support for the cameras, particu...
A new study by Penn State researchers found no significant difference in fear of crime between people living in areas with high and low incarceration rates. Despite the US having the world's highest incarceration rate, the study suggests that mass incarceration policies may not have the desired effect on reducing crime fear.
A randomized controlled trial found that establishing specialized help desks for women in local police stations in Madhya Pradesh, India led to increased registration of cases of gender-based violence. The presence of female officers was particularly effective in making the police more responsive to women's security needs.
A new algorithm forecasts crime with 90% accuracy, highlighting increased police response in wealthier areas and biased enforcement in disadvantaged neighborhoods. The tool divides cities into spatial tiles to detect patterns and predict future events.
A new report highlights the nation's race and ethnicity data shortcomings, recommending federal leadership on standardizing demographic data collection and reporting across critical issue areas. The report aims to help policymakers craft solutions that take into account where resources should be concentrated to address racial disparities.
A new study reveals that police involvement in student mental health transfers at Ontario universities differs significantly, with some universities using handcuffs routinely and others reserving them for rare circumstances. The study recommends engaging police only in high-risk situations to minimize restraints during transfers.
A new study from the University of California - Davis Health examines case details and mortality records from the first three years of California's Gun Violence Restraining Order law. The research found that GVROs were used to prevent firearm assault and homicide, with almost 30% of cases involving mass shooting threats.
Researchers found that terminating Supplemental Security Income benefits at age 18 significantly increases criminal charges, with a 20% rise in income-generating crimes and a 60% increase in incarceration likelihood. The effect persists for more than two decades.
A University at Buffalo study found COVID-19 accounted for 62% of duty-related law enforcement deaths in 2020. The majority of deaths were among men over 50 with more than 20 years of service, highlighting the added danger faced by law enforcement during the pandemic.
A new study by Carnegie Mellon University analyzed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and George Floyd's murder on crime rates in 28 US cities. The study found that homicides and auto thefts increased, while robberies and larcenies declined. The authors suggest that social unrest, economic conditions, and changed police behavior may b...
A study published in the International Journal of Comparative and Applied Criminal Justice found that mass shootings in the US account for 73% of all incidents in developed countries, resulting in 816 deaths. The research identified distinct characteristics of US mass shootings, including ideological motives and relationship problems.
The number of violent incidents recorded by police forces at UK general practices has almost doubled in the past five years, with 182 reported assaults resulting in injury last year. Malicious communications and stalking have also increased significantly, highlighting a growing issue of abuse against GPs and their staff.
A sociological study found that immigrants' trust in the police decreases over time as they integrate into their host country. The study, which analyzed data from almost 20,000 immigrants across 22 European countries, suggests that experiences of discrimination play a significant role in eroding trust. To maintain high levels of trust ...
A new study examining body-worn camera use in Phoenix found that departmental policy is a crucial factor in determining activation rates. The study revealed that policies confining, structuring, and checking officer discretion significantly impact decisions on turning on the cameras.
A study published in the Australian Journal of Psychology found that people with certain mental health conditions, such as schizophrenia and depression, may display behaviors that are commonly associated with deception. These behaviors, including gaze aversion and flat affect, can lead to unfair judgments in the criminal justice system...
Research from Washington University in St. Louis found that counties with a higher proportion of white residents have stronger anti-Black/pro-white attitudes, leading to larger disparities in traffic stops. The study suggests that racial demographics are a more reliable predictor of traffic stop discrepancies than racial biases.
This case series examined changes in buprenorphine prescribing waivers during COVID-19. The number of clinicians receiving waivers increased significantly before and during the pandemic, indicating a growing need for expanded access to opioid treatment.
A new study found that naming legislation after a victim increases support for the law and its associated punishment, with notable benefits for laws named after African American women. The study used distracted driving as an example and surveyed a national sample of 1,000 U.S. adults.
A study by Northwestern University reveals that police misconduct is a group phenomenon contributing to racial disparities in arrests and civilian complaints. The analysis identified 160 potential 'crews' of officers with an outsized share of misconduct complaints, accounting for 25% of all use-of-force complaints.
A new report emphasizes the need to divert girls and women from custodial sentences into community alternatives, citing concerns about stigma, criminalization, and systemic failures. The research highlights the experiences of imprisoned women from care and those in care with youth justice system contact.
A Rutgers study found that nontraditional 9/11 emergency workers are more than five times as likely to have considered suicide, with 12.5% expressing suicidal ideation compared to 2.2% of traditional first responders. Factors contributing to this disparity include inadequate training and financial hardship.
A UK crime gang study found that OCG members who previously offended together are more likely to become victims of violence, with a 56-fold increase in risk. The study also revealed cycles of escalating violence within the criminal milieu, with harassment increasing the potential for violence by 243 times.
A study by the American Psychological Association found that police stops in teens can lead to increased psychological distress, including anxiety, anger, and depression, which in turn can cause disengagement from school. Racial and ethnic minority youth reported more invasive police encounters than white youth.
A new study found that non-medical first responders, such as police and fire departments, are associated with higher cardiac arrest survival rates. They initiated CPR in 31.8% of incidents and AED use in 6.1% of cases, leading to significantly improved chances of survival and hospital discharge.
Researchers found that using the phrase 'objectively reasonable' to describe a police officer leads to less negative judgments, affecting perceptions of competence and warmth. The study suggests that legal language has a powerful impact on how citizens evaluate police officers, particularly those serving on juries.
A new study found that defense testimony about defendants' adverse childhood experiences can elicit leniency in jurors' sentencing decisions in capital trials. The study suggests that investigating and presenting ACE evidence is critical in eliciting leniency, with sympathy being a key factor in jurors' decisions.
Two studies published in Psychological Science found that counties with higher racial prejudice against Black people have more frequent stops of Black drivers. Researchers analyzed data from the Stanford Open Policing Project and Project Implicit website, revealing a strong link between regional racial attitudes and police conduct.
A new research group aims to bridge historiographical gaps in the understanding of the Black Power movement's influence on America's democracy and values. The project will examine lesser-known groups and topics to illustrate the struggle between competing ideals of US democracy.
Researchers found that over half of autistic people were considered vulnerable adults, but only a quarter received reasonable adjustments. Autistic defendants often experienced meltdowns and stress due to lack of understanding from law enforcement and courts.
A new study examines the impact of COVID-19 and George Floyd's death on police work in Tempe, Arizona. The study found that the pandemic had a larger impact on policing and crime than Floyd's death, with varying effects by type of crime.
A new study found that neighborhood-level gun violence dynamics in Philadelphia during the COVID-19 pandemic were linked to changes in drug market and police activity. Average shooting rates increased after the pandemic began, but this increase occurred at different rates for different neighborhoods.
A special issue of Criminology & Public Policy examines the effects of the George Floyd protests on the criminal justice system. Studies focus on policy changes, police institutional change, and public attitudes surrounding defunding the police.
A study of Massachusetts' data found discrepancies in the FBI's National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) due to design flaws, delays in arrests, and human factors. In 84% of cases, NIBRS data matched that of law enforcement agencies, but errors occurred in 16% of cases.
A recent study found that drug checking programs can reach people who would not access services otherwise, reducing overdoses and increasing HIV testing. The program also improved demand for other services like treatment for opioid use disorder.
A study by University of Cincinnati researchers found that de-escalation training improves outcomes, resulting in 28% fewer use-of-force incidents and 26% fewer citizen injuries. The study demonstrated statistically significant reductions in police officer injuries as well.
Analytical and intelligence professionals in police forces reported feeling anxious and exhausted while working with traumatic material during the pandemic. Additional support is needed to manage working from home or commuting into work, according to new research.
A Northwestern University study finds that a two-year pause in state funding contributed to the 2016 surge in Chicago youth homicides. The research suggests that restoring funding could be key to reducing violence among young people.
A qualitative study of 40 youths and young adults with mental health challenges reported mostly negative perceptions and experiences when faced with police involvement in crisis intervention. The researchers found that officer involvement contributed to 'inappropriately punitive' responses, further stigmatizing young people.
A study of over 1,000 Minneapolis residents found that community-level police contact is associated with a higher risk of preterm birth. The study controlled for factors like socioeconomic status and housing conditions, suggesting a potential link between police interactions and birth outcomes.
The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed weaknesses in the criminal justice system, highlighting issues with family and domestic violence, gang activity, and police-community interactions. Scholars from the American Society of Criminology investigate these concerns in a special issue, exploring lessons learned and policy implications.