The Impact of Landmark Cases of Police Misconduct on Reporting by Victims

• In Event: Police Misconduct

Abstract

Researchers have used surveys to demonstrate that highly publicized incidents of misconduct undermine confidence in law enforcement. Yet, although police often rely on the public to report offenses and provide information about suspects, we know little about how such incidents affect public interactions with officers. Using data from the National Crime Victimization Survey, this study explores how landmark events of excessive and deadly force alter the rate at which the public reports incidents to police. In doing so, we explore whether public behavior changes similarly to attitudes.

Authors

• Steven Briggs, North Dakota State University

• Daniel Pemstein, North Dakota State University