Articles tagged with Police
A Scottish study found that changing the legal drink-driving limit did not reduce road traffic accidents despite substantial initial public awareness campaigns. The researchers suggest inadequate enforcement and publicity as possible reasons for the lack of impact.
A systematic review by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine found that repressive policing increases the risk of violence, poorer health, and HIV/STI rates among sex workers. Reforms are urgently needed to protect their safety, health, and rights.
A new mathematical model, inspired by age-dependent population models, analyzes urban burglary patterns and identifies key factors influencing repeat victimization. The model takes into account a burglar's age and a house's susceptibility to robbery based on its age, providing a flexible framework for prevention strategies.
A survey study of 1,000 US adults found that exposure to police violence was common, particularly among racial/ethnic and sexual minorities. The frequency of exposure was associated with increased likelihood of mental health issues, including psychological distress, suicidal thoughts, and psychotic experiences.
A study by Florida Atlantic University explores police officers' experiences with body-worn cameras, finding they increase transparency and accountability. However, it also reveals reduced morale and a focus on proactive policing strategies.
A report from Michigan State University and global counter-terrorism experts highlights the dangers of unregulated social media after terror attacks. Communications after an incident often lead to a spike in hate crimes and disinformation, perpetuating fear and fueling the terror cycle.
Researchers found that a large percentage of violent injuries treated in emergency departments are from incidents unknown to law enforcement. Combining hospital and police data can provide a more complete picture of violence, highlighting the need for improved reporting and tracking.
A new study found that older individuals, Republicans, and males are more likely to oppose the BLM movement. In contrast, Blacks and those who perceive racial bias against them are less likely to oppose it. The study also revealed a link between opposition to BLM and red states with lower voting patterns for Mitt Romney in 2012.
The University of Texas at Arlington has received a $500,000 grant from the Office of the Governor to fund two projects: one providing campus victim services and the other evaluating programs across the state. The grant aims to support crime victims and their services, with a focus on sexual assault cases.
Research finds weekend crime sprees increase with hot temperatures, alcohol consumption, and holidays. Experts believe a predictive analytics approach can empower police by identifying key time patterns and locations.
Recent studies conducted by CHAAMPS reveal significant health disparities among black men, including racial disparities in hospitalizations for heart failure. Additionally, the organization aims to address violent encounters between police and young black men through community-based initiatives.
A new study led by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health researchers found a link between state-level gun ownership and police shooting deaths, with the strongest association among armed victims. The rate of fatal police shootings was 3.6 times higher in states with high gun prevalence.
A polymer science professor at The University of Akron is developing a fiber mat that detects opiate residue, providing first responders with quick indication of presence. Early prototypes will be used in latex gloves carried by responders to prevent exposure and overdose risk.
A study analyzing California hospital visits from 2005 to 2015 found that rates of law enforcement-inflicted injuries increased until 2009 but declined thereafter, with black individuals at greatest risk. The proportion of injuries involving firearms decreased, while those associated with behavioral health diagnoses rose
A study found that most people's attitudes towards police officers are shaped by pre-existing views, and do not significantly change even when presented with evidence of racial disparities. The study suggests that building trust in law enforcement may be a challenging task for police departments.
A study by Jonathan Mummolo found that militarized policing is ineffective in decreasing crime and protecting police officers, and may actually weaken the public's image of law enforcement. The study also reveals that SWAT teams are more often deployed in communities of color.
A study found that individuals shot by police have arrest histories similar to those involved in assaults and homicides, and medical histories similar to those with self-inflicted firearm injuries. The study identified patterns among intent-specific firearm injuries, including increased risk of interpersonal and self-directed violence,...
A study analyzed weather data from various sources in the US from 2000 to 2017, revealing links between temperature and risk of fatal crashes, food safety violations, and police stops. Climate projections suggest future warming may impact regulatory oversight, with potential implications for governance.
A study on Tempe, Arizona's body-worn camera program found that adhering to federal guidelines increased acceptance among police, citizens, and stakeholders. The research suggests that departments should follow the guidelines for successful implementation.
A new cryptographic system, AUDIT, is proposed to improve government surveillance accountability while maintaining confidentiality. The system uses a public ledger and cryptographic commitments to ensure transparency and accountability.
A Rutgers-Newark study finds that African Americans are killed by police more than twice as often as the general population, but white officers kill minority suspects at lower rates. The researchers argue that institutional racism in police departments targets minority communities with policies like stop and frisk.
An observational study found that the caliber of a firearm is associated with the likelihood of death from a gunshot, with medium- and large-caliber guns increasing the odds of fatality. The study analyzed data on 367 cases, including 183 fatal and 184 non-fatal shootings.
A study by WSU researchers found that marijuana legalization in Colorado and Washington improved clearance rates for certain crimes, including burglaries and vehicle thefts. The analysis of monthly FBI data from 2010 through 2015 showed a significant improvement in property crime clearance rates in these states.
A new study led by Cornell University researchers found that police were responsible for about 8 percent of all US homicides with adult male victims, or 2.8 per day on average. The risk of being killed by police is higher for black men and Latino men compared to white men.
Researchers developed an Ensemble Poisson Kalman Filter (EnPKF) algorithm that combines urban crime data and ETAS model for real-time forecasts on crime rates and predicted hotspots. The algorithm has been tested on over 1000 violent gang crimes in Los Angeles, showing promise as a tool to support law enforcement
Research by Maria Cristina Morales found that first- and second-generation Latinos are more likely to be questioned about their citizenship status than those who have been living in the US for longer. This phenomenon, known as citizenship profiling, highlights the disproportionate surveillance of Latino immigrants and their children.
A series of experiments by David Levari et al. shows that people perceive threatening stimuli as abundant even when they are decreasing in reality. This perception bias affects important decisions, such as those made by police officers or research ethics board members.
A new study from the University of Texas at Austin found that empathetic police officers who feel undervalued perform poorly in their duties. In contrast, conservative officers with punitive approaches to justice tend to maintain high performance levels despite public criticism. Policymakers are urged to address the issue by implementi...
A new study published in The Lancet found that police killings of unarmed black Americans are associated with worse mental health among other black Americans. Researchers surveyed nearly 40,000 black Americans and estimated that these deaths contribute to 1.7 additional poor mental health days per person every year.
A new study reveals that police killings of unarmed black Americans have a significant impact on the mental health of black American adults in the general population. The quasi-experimental study found an estimated 55 million excess poor mental health days per year among black American adults due to police killings.
Research suggests that police officers on night shifts are more likely to receive public complaints due to elevated fatigue. Going to court during the day after a night shift further increases this risk, highlighting the need for duty schedules to consider court appearances.
A QUT study found that cyclists are more seriously hurt in crashes with motor vehicles at intersections with 'Stop' or 'Give-way' signs than at intersections with traffic signals. The study, analyzing 13 years of Queensland police crash records, found drivers were most often at fault at these intersections.
A study found that tweets containing moral rhetoric may signal whether a protest will turn violent. Researchers developed a model to detect moralized language, which nearly doubled on days when clashes among protesters and police became violent.
Non-White homeless adolescents are more likely to report police harassment and be arrested, but elements of living on the street offset racial disparities. Visibility and past experiences play a role in subsequent events leading to arrest.
A recent study by Northwestern University researchers used network science to map the gun market in Chicago, finding that individuals are on average 2.5 handshakes away from a gun. Gang membership was found to reduce this distance by 27 percent, highlighting the role of gangs in facilitating access to guns.
Researchers found that virtual avatar-to-avatar interviews increased accurate information recall by up to 60% compared to traditional face-to-face interviews. This innovative approach reduces distractions and promotes honesty, making eyewitness testimony more reliable.
Research estimates that police violence resulted in over 57,000 years of life lost in 2015-16, disproportionately affecting young people and people of color. The study uses The Counted database to track deaths and injuries due to police violence, highlighting the need for better data to inform policy.
A former police chief and LEAP UK argue that harsher drug laws are ineffective in reducing violence and suggest a shift towards public health policies. They point to the failure of punitive approaches and highlight the need for regulation, taxation, support, and education.
According to Philip Cook's analysis, gun thefts represent only about one percent of all gun transactions in the US. In Chicago, only a tiny proportion of crime guns were ever reported stolen to the Police Department.
Purdue researchers have developed an online platform called the Social Media Analytics and Reporting Toolkit (SMART) that filters social media content according to key words and geographic regions. The tool is being used by first responders to analyze both live and historical data, helping them attend to certain areas faster.
A field-data study in Los Angeles found that predictive policing did not result in biased arrests, with arrest rates by ethnic group showing no statistically significant difference. However, the researchers noted that higher crime rates and proportionally higher arrest rates were observed in algorithmically selected areas.
The study, led by George Mohler, found no statistically significant difference in arrest rates by ethnic group between predictive policing and standard patrol practices. The researchers also discovered that arrests were higher in algorithmically-selected areas but remained unchanged when adjusted for crime rates.
A study of NYC's stop-and-frisk policy from 2006 to 2013 found a link between height and police stops for black men. The research also replicated findings in experiments, highlighting the role of perceived threat in racial stereotyping.
A multi-site study found that police use of force is rare, accounting for less than 1% of all calls and arrests. Most significant injuries were associated with firearms and dogs, while conducted electrical weapons like Tasers were rarely used in force incidents.
State-level laws banning hand-held cellphone calls significantly reduced teen drivers' conversations while driving (55% decrease), whereas texting bans were ineffective. Universal hand-held phone bans outperformed limited young driver bans in reducing both types of behavior.
A new study at the University at Buffalo aims to measure the effects of PTSD symptoms on attention and cognitive control in police officers. The research, led by Janet Shucard, will examine brain structure and function in police officers using electrophysiological activity and psychological interviews.
A new study found four types of collaborative programs in Massachusetts connecting overdose survivors with addiction treatment, harm reduction, and community support services. Public health and public safety partnerships have been shown to be effective in reaching high-risk populations.
A new study by Boston University School of Public Health researchers found a strong association between structural racism and racial disparities in fatal police shootings at the state level. States with higher levels of residential segregation had higher rates of unarmed black victims killed by police, even controlling for arrest rates.
A recent study published in Preventive Medicine reveals that dating partners are more likely to engage in violent behavior and account for a larger percentage of domestic violence incidents compared to spouses. The research found that over 80% of intimate partner violence incidents involve current or former boyfriends and girlfriends.
A new study published in PLOS ONE found that social media coverage of fatal police-citizen incidents can act as a virtual contagion, leading to future violence against law enforcement. The research also suggests that an unexpected increase in officer line-of-duty deaths is associated with an increase in the number of minority citizens ...
A simulation model found that investing in targeted policing and the community-based strategy Cure Violence can effectively reduce urban violence. The study suggests that a combination of both approaches may be more effective than either alone.
A recent study by University of Kansas researchers found that people's racial and political identities strongly influence how they view the causes of deadly police encounters. African Americans, liberals, and Democrats generally attribute fatal encounters to broader problems in policing. The researchers recommend that police department...
A study found that police officers are highly responsive to rules and supervision, leading to more conservative tactics after the NYPD mandated detailed stop reports. The intervention increased the perceived level of supervision, resulting in a sharp drop in unnecessary stops and a rise in the hit rate.
Research at Cornell University found that people with disabilities are nearly 44% more likely to be arrested by age 28 compared to those without disabilities. Black men with disabilities face a disproportionately high risk of arrest, highlighting the need for police training and healthcare improvements.
A new study by researchers at the University of Kent and Utrecht found that reducing corruption is crucial to improving police satisfaction in developing countries. The study, which involved 559 residents in Accra, Ghana, showed that even fair treatment by police can be undermined by awareness of corruption and ineffectiveness.
Research by René D. Flores found that Twitter data shows a shift in behavior towards anti-immigrant users, with tweets becoming more negative after Arizona Senate Bill 1070 was passed. The study used sentiment analysis to determine the impact of the law on public discourse.
Researchers at IUPUI are developing a system to predict where and when social harm events like crime, traffic crashes, and medical emergencies will occur. The project aims to provide data-driven insights to stakeholders, enabling them to allocate resources effectively and improve community quality of life.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that law enforcement-related deaths in the US are significantly undercounted in official government data. The study used capture-recapture analysis and multilevel logistic regression to estimate the number of such deaths, finding that only 44.9% were documented by state death certificates compar...
A new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that official US death certificates failed to count over half of the people killed by police in 2015, with a greater proportion undercounted in lower-income counties and for deaths involving non-firearm means like Tasers. The study's findings highlight the need for better...
A new study published in Nature Human Behaviour found that reducing systematic and aggressive policing measures can lead to a decline in major crime complaints. The researchers analyzed data from New York City's NYPD during a period when proactive policing was halted, revealing a 3-6% decrease in reported serious crimes.