Articles tagged with Police
Researchers analyzed a statewide survey in Pennsylvania to identify experiences of autistic individuals and their caregivers across interactions with the criminal justice system. Positive and negative experiences were reported, highlighting an increased risk for male autistic individuals with co-occurring psychiatric diagnoses.
A study of four US states finds that Black people are more likely to be nonfatally shot and injured by police, with disparities greater than seen for fatal shootings. The research highlights the need for comprehensive data on police shootings to draw reliable conclusions about racial disparities.
A team of psychological scientists and criminologists recommend testing eyewitness memory only once to prevent contaminated memories from convicting innocent people. The first identification is the most reliable test, which can avoid further contamination and ensure justice.
The University of Arkansas will receive a grant to analyze gun crime patterns in Chattanooga, Tennessee, with the goal of reducing frequency of violence. The researchers aim to understand where, when, and at what frequency gun crime occurs to inform evidence-driven practices.
A new study found that adolescents' experiences with police can negatively impact their future orientation, leading to reduced educational and career aspirations. The research, conducted by the American Society of Criminology, analyzed data from 1,354 serious offenders and found that even positive interactions with police can create co...
A University of California, Davis researcher suggests that private companies manufacturing these tools are effectively shielded from public scrutiny, leading to concerns about a lack of balance between police needs and individual rights to privacy.
A new study by The Lancet found that over 55% of police killings in the USA are unreported and Black Americans are 3.5 times more likely to experience fatal police violence than white Americans. Researchers estimate an additional 32,000 deaths from police violence between 1980-2019.
A review of 29 studies with nearly 20,000 participants reveals an association between police exposure and adverse health outcomes for Black youth. The current body of evidence suggests that police contact may be a significant risk factor for poor health and well-being in this demographic.
A recent study found that Black youth in California have significantly higher rates of injuries caused by law enforcement than their non-Black peers. The researchers used California emergency department and hospitalization data to examine the overall rates of such incidents.
A study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that contact with police is associated with negative health outcomes for Black youth, including poor mental health, substance use, and risky behaviors. The researchers also found that Black youth experience feelings of alienation and hopelessness due to lack of support from social institutions.
A recent study found that domestic violence reporting declined by 10-fold in Black communities compared to White neighborhoods during Chicago's COVID-19 stay-at-home order. The researchers attribute this underreporting to a lack of resources and mistrust in law enforcement among Black communities.
A study found that COVID-19 stay-at-home orders in Chicago were associated with increased rates of reported domestic violence, particularly among minority groups. The study suggests that pandemic policies may exacerbate existing inequalities in access to resources and support for survivors of domestic violence.
A new study from the University of California Firearm Violence Research Center shows that physical disorder in Detroit doesn't lead to a steep increase in violent crime. The study's findings suggest that community-driven efforts to rebuild and remake rundown neighborhoods can be effective in reducing disorder and fear.
A new study suggests that China's policies in Xinjiang, including enforced birth control and internment camps, could result in a significant loss of life among the Uyghur population. The research estimates that up to 4.5 million lives could be lost by 2040 if current policies continue.
A new study found that the public generally opposes repressive policing of protesters, but certain tactics by protesters increase fear and support for police repression. The goals of protests also impact support for police repression, with racially resentful individuals more supportive of repression.
A new study analyzing millions of 911 calls found that defunding the police is challenging due to the volume and types of incidents handled by police. The study suggests that if police retain their responsibilities, they need to reconsider how to address community concerns more effectively.
Researchers at Flinders University have developed a method to recover DNA from the surface of capsules containing illicit drugs, such as MDMA. This breakthrough enables law enforcement agencies to potentially link various drug seizures around the world and identify suspects through DNA profiling.
The poor are unlikely to obey strict lockdowns due to lack of nutrition, economic opportunities, and infrastructure. African policymakers need to prioritize social and economic measures over stringent lockdowns to slow the spread of COVID-19 and future pandemics.
A new study found that quality-of-life policing restricts access to free Wi-Fi, especially for Black and other people of color. Wealthier neighborhoods experienced a 5% increase in quality-of-life complaints after internet access was introduced, while other areas did not.
A new study published in The Economic Journal found that the presence of adult entertainment establishments in New York City significantly decreases sex crimes. Researchers combined crime data with opening dates of these establishments to find a 13% reduction in sex crimes within one week of opening.
A study published by the American Psychological Association found that police officers' tone of voice conveys less warmth, respect, and ease when speaking to Black male drivers during routine traffic stops. This subtle negativity contributes to a downward cycle of distrust between police and the Black community. The researchers suggest...
A new study developed a conceptual model to understand the relationship between policing and population health, highlighting factors like community characteristics and policy that affect health outcomes. The research suggests that policing practices can have far-reaching impacts on mental, physical, social, and structural wellbeing.
A team of researchers at the University of Birmingham developed an interactive lineup software that enables witnesses to rotate and view lineup faces from different angles. This improvement in discrimination accuracy is crucial for more reliably identifying criminals, as misidentification is a leading cause of wrongful convictions.
A new face identification ability test, GFMT2, has been developed to identify high-performing facial recognition individuals known as super-recognisers. This test will help prevent false identity matches made by facial recognition software and improve recruitment for roles such as visa processors and passport issuers.
A new study suggests that replacing high-risk police officers with less likely to generate use-of-force complaints would reduce complaints by just 6 percent over a 10-year period. Researchers found that early warning systems and broader accountability measures are more effective in reducing misconduct.
The 5th International Conference for Missing Children and Adults brought together experts to discuss key findings on prevention, investigation, and support. The conference highlighted the importance of collaborative approaches and innovative strategies in addressing missing persons cases.
A study examining ERPO use in Oregon found that these laws are commonly considered as a tool to remove guns from dangerous individuals, but should also be used to prevent gun purchases by those at risk. Most ERPO petitions were filed by law enforcement or reported histories of interpersonal violence or suicidality.
Researchers found that a centralized communication and decision-making approach hampers effective communication between agencies, leading to over-reliance on Police. A three-phase structure is proposed to address this issue, empowering other services to take initiative earlier in emergencies.
A longitudinal study by Harvard sociologist Robert J. Sampson and Ph.D. candidate Roland Neil found that the era in which adolescents came of age significantly influences their chances of arrest, with older cohorts facing nearly double the risk of arrest compared to younger cohorts born in the 1990s.
Research finds that supporting social hierarchies is associated with increased police use of force by White officers. Non-White officers show no significant correlation between social hierarchy support and force use.
A new legal framework for traffic enforcement, proposed by University of Arkansas law professor Jordan Blair Woods, separates traffic laws from critical police functions. This would delegate most traffic enforcement to newly created traffic agencies, reducing racial and economic injustice in stops.
A new study analyzes the impact of highly publicized acts of racial violence on the mental health of Black Americans. Research suggests that experiencing racism, even vicariously, can harm mental and physical health, and that highly publicized anti-Black violence is strongly associated with poor mental health days among Black respondents.
A three-month project led by Professor Rachel Armitage from the University of Huddersfield is investigating the impact of burglar alarms on residential burglary. The study, which combines data analysis and surveys, aims to clarify whether burglar alarms are an effective crime prevention measure.
The study found that face masks hinder recognition of familiar faces slightly more than sunglasses, but have a minimal impact on accuracy. Super recognisers, who have an exceptional ability for face recognition, performed better even when looking at concealed faces.
A research project led by Professor Jason Roach at the University of Huddersfield is investigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the health and wellbeing of police officers. The study aims to identify both negative and positive factors affecting their wellbeing, as well as coping strategies used during the pandemic.
A new study from the University of Portsmouth and Universities of Hagen and Mainz found that false memories can be reversed using specific interview techniques. The research involved implanting false memories in participants and then using strategies to help them retract these false recollections, while leaving their true memories intact.
A study by Jamie J. Fader found that young men of color in Philadelphia's Frankford neighborhood avoid public spaces out of concern for unpredictable interactions with law enforcement. This avoidance results in limited social engagement, community disengagement, and reduced opportunities for education and employment.
A new study by researchers at UCSF found that fatal police violence near a pregnant woman's home increases the risk of preterm birth. The study analyzed records of 3.8 million pregnant women and found that deaths due to police violence, particularly among Black victims, were strongly associated with moderate or late preterm delivery.
A $400,000 NSF grant will support a five-year project investigating the role of formal and informal social relationships among officers in shaping police behaviors. The findings aim to reduce police misconduct by informing policy initiatives and educational training programs.
New research suggests that unfair police treatment is associated with detrimental outcomes such as depression, suicidal thoughts, drug use, and loss of self-efficacy. The study used a nationally representative sample of over 12,000 participants and found significant disparities in the consequences faced by white and Black people.
A study by University of Portsmouth researchers found that poor leadership and management were the most common reasons for police officers leaving the force. The study also highlighted the importance of balancing individual needs with organisational demand to reduce turnover and improve commitment.
New research by Dr. Ross Hickey suggests that private security systems are diverting police resources from those who need them most, exacerbating existing inequities in public protection. This can include households with lower incomes or those living on the street, which may not be receiving the same level of policing services.
Research from UCL found a surprising synchronicity between car accidents and violent crimes in Mexico City, revealing 'heartbeats' of the city that peak in the evening. Improving road safety could improve crime prevention and give more resources to police tackling crime.
British citizens who vanish abroad are more likely to be found by UK police due to their longer duration of disappearance, with 134-day average. Non-UK authorities accounted for only 20% of all finds, highlighting the effectiveness of UK police in resolving cases.
A study of 19,732 participants found that using fillers dissimilar to the suspect increased correct identification without wrongly identifying innocents. This method may improve lineup accuracy and reduce wrongful convictions.
Researchers found that selecting fillers who are facially dissimilar to the suspect enhances eyewitness ability to accurately identify the perpetrator, while protecting innocent suspects. The counterintuitive technique improves outcomes without affecting the number of false alarms.
A recent study using Chicago Police Department data found Black officers used force less often than white counterparts, while women used force less than men. The findings provide insight into the impacts of diversification in policing and highlight the need for nuanced reforms.
Researchers analyzed data from the Chicago Police Department and found that Black and Hispanic officers make fewer stops and arrests, use less force than white officers. Female officers also use less force than males. The study suggests increasing diversity in police departments may decrease police mistreatment of minority communities.
A recent study by Toni Rodon and Marc Guinjoan found that police violence at polling stations reduced local turnout, but spurred higher participation in surrounding municipalities. The researchers also discovered a 'universal census' law allowed voters to cast ballots anywhere, contributing to the increase in nearby votes.
Massachusetts post-overdose outreach programs have expanded across the state, with 44% of municipalities reporting available programs since 2015. These collaborations between public health and public safety organizations provide critical services like addiction treatment and naloxone to reduce overdose risk.
A new study found that sudden police layoffs in the US are associated with increased crime rates. In one city, Newark, the layoff led to a significant spike in violent and property crimes. The study suggests that reducing police force size can impact crime levels.
A Simon Fraser University study examines how different types of PPE impact public perception of police. Most PPE, including surgical masks, N95 masks, and face shields, enhances perceptions of officer accountability and professionalism.
Researchers investigate how COVID-19 has changed sex offender behavior, providing insights for protecting vulnerable individuals. The study aims to understand how social and economic changes have impacted offender patterns and victim vulnerability.
A group of neurologists from Massachusetts General Hospital argue that police neck restraints pose significant health risks, including stroke and death. They call for greater transparency around their use.
New research finds that people tend to moralize COVID-19-control efforts, overlooking associated costs. The level of support differs between liberals and conservatives.
Researchers found that police officers investigating child exploitation are vulnerable to moral injury, PTSD, anxiety, and depression due to exposure to traumatic images. The study suggests ways to enhance professional support to improve management of psychological distress.
A University of Michigan study examining 3.8 million federal inventory records found little evidence that seizing military weapons increases violent crime or puts police at risk. Previous data analyses supporting the use of military equipment to reduce crime were unreliable due to data problems.
A new study published in Nature Human Behaviour found that the militarization of local law enforcement through military equipment does not reduce crime rates. Researchers discovered significant discrepancies in the federal government's tracking of surplus military equipment and incomplete records, making it difficult to draw firm concl...
A new University of Washington study examines the effects of early police contacts on Black and white adolescents, finding that Black youth are more likely to be treated as 'usual suspects' after a first encounter, leading to subsequent arrests. White youth with early police contact are not significantly more likely to be arrested later.
In contemporary Taiwan, a study reveals that weak police forces effectively maintain peace by focusing on civic ritual and performative peace. The author argues for a normative ideal of 'weak policing' as the democratic midpoint between violent control and uncontrolled violence.