Articles tagged with Police
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 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 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 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.
A recent study found that Black and Hispanic adolescents are more likely to die from police-related shootings compared to non-Hispanic white adolescents. The study highlights the need for interventions and policies to mitigate racial disparities in policing.
A study published in PLOS One suggests that a freely available test, known as the UNSW Face Test, is able to rank facial recognition abilities with precision. Researchers argue that this test is perfect for identifying exceptional face recognisers and could lead to breakthroughs in fields such as law enforcement and national security.
A University of Kansas study found that demolishing over 500 abandoned homes in Kansas City did not significantly reduce nearby violent or property crime. Instead, socioeconomic and housing characteristics were stronger predictors of change in crime rates.
A new study from University of East Anglia found that people with dementia are at higher risk of going missing in areas with dense and disordered road networks. The research identified environmental risk factors that contribute to the issue, including complex intersections and disorganized layout.
A new study, funded by the National Institute for Health Research Public Health programme, investigates the impact of changing bar and club opening hours on health, crime levels, and emergency services in Scotland. The study aims to understand how later opening hours affect ambulance callouts, crimes, and public services.
The rate of fatal police shootings of unarmed Black people in the US is significantly higher than among White people. Researchers found that the total numbers of Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC) killed in police shootings have not budged over the past 5 years.
Researchers found a significant disparity in fatal police shootings between Black and white individuals, with Black victims experiencing lethal encounters at a rate three times higher than their white counterparts. The study highlights the disproportionate impact of police violence on marginalized communities.
A Rutgers study found that white Americans' support for punitive immigration policies contradicts their favor for the DREAM Act, driven by racial resentment and egalitarianism. White Democrats' support is influenced by both factors, while Republicans are only driven by racial resentment.
A new study reveals that millions of people in the US have searched for information on Google regarding police reform, with searches increasing by over 150-fold in the days following George Floyd's death. The study found that specific reform topics such as police union reform and training had high search volumes across all states.
Protests correlated with short-term drop in fatal interactions with police for Black individuals, contributing to the body of research on protest effectiveness. No evidence found that protests increased crime or decreased proactive policing.
A study analyzing US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) data found that sanctuary policies decrease overall deportations, particularly among individuals with violent convictions. However, crime rates remain unaffected, suggesting that sanctuary policies do not threaten public safety.
A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that sanctuary policies protect immigrants and reduce deportations, but have no measurable impact on crime rates. Sanctuary policies prevented about 22,300 deportations nationwide between 2013 and 2015.
The Cardiff model, a data-sharing approach between hospitals and police, is lowering violent injury rates worldwide. Cities adopting this model are seeing significant drops in violence, with the World Health Organization endorsing its impact.
Research reveals unique effects of police violence on mental health, including trauma, biological changes, and stigmatization. Communities of color are disproportionately affected by police violence, leading to diminished self-worth and increased risk of death at the hands of police.
A study by Indiana University researchers found that Black police officers were more frequently disciplined for misconduct than White officers, despite an equal number of allegations. In Chicago, Black officers were disciplined at a 105% higher rate than white officers.
Researchers found that officers can cut their chance of making misdiagnosis shooting errors by more than half when using a low ready position. The study, published in Police Quarterly, suggests that this simple adjustment could lead to fewer perception shootings and improved safety.
A study found that Black men are five times more likely to be killed by police as unarmed white men over 54. Additionally, unarmed Black men exhibiting signs of mental illness face even higher risks of being killed by police.
A study by the University of Birmingham found that police officers experience stress and anxiety when they perceive a violation of their psychological contract, leading to feelings of anger and frustration. The researchers also discovered that fairness and self-efficacy play a crucial role in mediating this relationship.
A study of UK key workers found that around half who reported COVID-19 symptoms did not test positive for antibodies, suggesting other conditions. The research suggests self-reported symptoms overestimate COVID-19 disease relative to serology.
The National Association of Science Writers has recognized outstanding investigative journalism with the 2020 Science in Society Journalism Awards. The award-winning entries include 'Bottle of Lies: The Inside Story of the Generic Drug Boom,' 'Cigarette Butts Are Everywhere,' and 'The Confession.'
Stanford researchers found that local news media in Chicago give less coverage to Black and Hispanic victims than white victims, even when controlling for neighborhood demographics. The study revealed disparities in word count and complexity of personhood, highlighting the need for more nuanced reporting.
A new study suggests UK police are neglecting to recognize modern slavery in cannabis farm cases, where migrants are forced into illegal work. Researchers argue that arresting officers often lack detailed training on modern slavery and make only cursory enquiries.
The Aboriginal Legal Service is developing a user-friendly digital platform to improve its Custody Notification Service. The project aims to optimize data collation and make information more accessible for wider insights and understanding. This enhancement will strengthen the organization's advocacy, policy, and law reform work.
Researchers Cynthia Lum and Christopher Koper are studying COVID-19's impact on Fairfax County Police Department's crime rates, operations, and police-community interactions. The study aims to describe the agency's response and document lessons learned for a national audience.
A new study by researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston found that police officers are susceptible to adverse events due to multifaceted stressors. The study identified five themes influencing officer perception of call stress levels, including officer characteristics and civilian behavior.
A new study has pinpointed the five most likely causes of post-traumatic stress in police officers, highlighting the importance of genetic and emotional differences. The research identified specific causal factors, including a tendency to startle easily, anxiety, depression, and genetic mutations, which can contribute to the developmen...
A new study found that schools with increased law enforcement officer presence experienced higher crime rates and more student exclusions. The research, conducted by the University of Maryland and Westat, suggests that increasing SRO staffing levels does not improve school safety and may even exacerbate issues.
Post-theatrical release piracy is connected to higher ticket sales due to increased word-of-mouth advertising. Movie studios should focus on preventing pirated copies from leaking online before release.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that female prosecutors in Sweden are 16 percentage points more likely to investigate police assault claims than their male counterparts. This difference was observed despite the prosecutors being randomly assigned to cases and having similar characteristics.
A new study found that police officers are at a higher risk of traumatic brain injuries (TBI) than the general public, with 38.9% reporting a TBI resulting in loss of consciousness. Officers with a history of TBI also experienced higher levels of post-concussion symptoms and mental health issues, including depression and PTSD.
A Rutgers study surveyed 134 college students of color and found that 90% observed police brutality videos, leading to symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and fear of future police encounters. Researchers emphasize the need for police reform to stop killings of Black men, women and children.
A new forensic approach aims to gauge the strength of witness memory and minimize unwitting bias in police lineup processes. The technique, which uses neuroscience and psychology, assigns a probability value to witness testimony and scores responses based on paired comparisons of photos.
A Rutgers-led study found that community and law enforcement partnerships can significantly improve PTSD screening and treatment for children who witness home violence. The Child Trauma Response Team model, which provides immediate outreach and victim safety assessments, showed a three-fold increase in child PTSD screens among families...
A study in rats demonstrates the bystander effect exists in non-human species. Rats were less likely to rescue a rodent in need when surrounded by incompetent helpers, but more likely to take action when fellow bystanders were willing helpers.
A Rutgers-led study finds that incarceration and police discrimination contribute to higher rates of psychological distress, HIV risk, and lower willingness to take PrEP among Black gay, bisexual, and other sexual minority men. The research highlights the need for anti-racist and anti-heterosexist advocacy and interventions to address ...
A study analyzing US police-involved fatalities across racial/ethnic groups found large variation in fatal police violence rates across metropolitan areas, with Black people being on average 3.23 times more likely to be killed than White people.
A nationwide study by University of South Florida professors reveals that blacks are five times more likely and Latinos four times more likely to fear police brutality than whites. This disparity affects the emotional toll on minorities, leading to psychological and physical health consequences.
Researchers from WMG, University of Warwick assessed seven dashcam devices to identify artefacts that can be synthesised using tools such as native video players. The study found that digital forensics faces significant issues in managing and processing dashcam evidence.
Researchers at the University of Strathclyde have developed new methods for detecting fingermarks on Scottish banks' new polymer notes, which are not effective with traditional cotton banknote techniques. The most effective process involves superglue fuming and infrared light.
A UCLA-led study found a significant increase in domestic violence calls to police in Los Angeles and Indianapolis during the COVID-19 pandemic. The researchers predict that the incidence of domestic violence will decrease as people return to normal routines, but may increase again if there is a second wave of COVID-19 infections.
Around 1 in 4 police officers may drink at hazardous levels, while 1 in 7 meet PTSD or depression criteria. Effective treatment and monitoring programs are needed to address these issues.
A new study in Washington state found that police officers have varying concerns about the legalization of cannabis, including its effects on youth and impaired driving. The study's findings can inform other states' efforts to address legalization.
A Stanford-led study analyzing 95 million traffic stop records found that black drivers are less likely to be stopped at night, while officers search cars of blacks and Hispanics more often than whites. The researchers used a massive database to identify systematic bias in police stops and searches.
Researchers found that blacks were more likely to engage in political listening overall, but struggled to truly listen when discussing controversial race issues. Blacks reported it would be harder to listen to their white partners' views on topics like police treatment of blacks and Confederate flags.
The Video Enabled Justice Independent Evaluation found that new booking tool improved court processes with better oversight of the court's list. However, resource constraints hindered the tool's optimal functioning, highlighting the need for comprehensive planning and investment in audio-video equipment.
Researchers provide insights and recommendations to improve UK police forces' recognition, reporting, and analysis of child-to-parent abuse. The study highlights the need for a multi-agency partnership approach to prevent abuse and provides guidance for agencies to collect data on this issue.
A new study by Flinders University highlights the need for better support systems for PTSD partners of veterans and emergency workers. Partners reported feeling invisible in their recovery, with their contributions to trauma management often overlooked.
A training program initiated by the Chicago Police Department reduced mandatory use-of-force reports and civilian interactions with force by 10% and 6.4%, respectively. The study suggests that proper training can lead to changes in policing styles.
A Northwestern University evaluation found that a procedural justice training program reduced complaints by 10% and use of force by 6%. The training, which typically takes one day, emphasizes transparency and responding to community concerns.
A survey of over 195 men on probation and/or parole in Baltimore found that more than half attempted to acquire a firearm but were unsuccessful due to various reasons. The majority reported selling or trading guns for money, drugs, or other guns.
A new study found that people are no better than chance at identifying false memories of committing a crime, even when told they're fake. The research used videos from a previous study where participants were tricked into believing they had committed a crime, and found that many true memories looked like false ones.
A longitudinal study found little support for the Ferguson Effect, a decrease in police morale and proactive policing. However, low job satisfaction and cynicism among officers were associated with reduced police activity. The study suggests addressing officers' attitudes is crucial for promoting community engagement and proactive poli...
Charlotte Gill is leading a project to develop a guidebook and online training course for police agencies in small and rural communities. The project aims to translate evidence-based crime reduction best practices into actionable recommendations for these agencies.