NCJ Number
227078
Journal
Criminal Justice Studies Volume: 22 Issue: 1 Dated: March 2009 Pages: 39-47
Date Published
March 2009
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This study examined police-caused homicides in the United States within the context of characteristics of the referent community.
Abstract
Results indicate that while violent crime rates have trended upward from the 1960s, the rate of police-caused homicides has trended downward; although the variance has been fairly restricted. In addition, the variance in the earlier data of police-caused homicides was lower than the variance of the more current rate of police-caused homicides. Accordingly, a fairly robust relationship which was evident in the 1960s, between rates of violent crime and rates of police-caused homicides has been attenuated. Reasons for the drop in police-caused homicides may include the Tennessee v. Garner Supreme Court ruling, shifting policies/guidelines which more circumscribe the officer’s discretion to shoot, enhanced abilities to communicate/coordinate with back-up officers, an enlarged arsenal of nonlethal devices, a shifting in the cost-benefit rate for engaging into a threatening situation, plus enhanced medical facilities and protocols. Although the previously strong relationship between rates of violent crime and police-caused homicides has essentially evaporated, the levels of police-caused homicides reflect other characteristics of the policeman’s referent community. Ethnic mix and level of education of the referent community are aligned with levels of police-caused homicides. Violent crime rates were related to both deaths in police custody and rates of male unemployment, while police-caused homicides were independent from both indices. The lack of a found relationship between current rates of police-caused homicides and rates of police who have been killed also suggests an internal dynamic wherein systematic abuse is absent. Tables, figure, note, references, and appendix