Stop or Frisk? Measuring Explanatory factors of Officer Decisions to Frisk Suspects During Pedestrian Stops in New York City

• In Event: Investigatory Stops by Police

Abstract

Within all the controversy about the constitutionality of the NYPD’s SQF practices, there has been some preliminary evidence of its positive deterrent effect (Weisburd et al, 2016). What has been left unexplored, however, is the procedural process of officer initiated stops. In particular, research has not explored police decision making during stop events. Using geo-spatial analysis, this paper critically adds to the discussion by looking at the socio-structural and situational predictors of stops during which suspects were frisked and/or arrested. The authors also examine the possible displacement of benefits outside of SQF hot spots and factors that are associate with their special movement from one year to the next.

Authors

• Heath John Grant, John Jay College of Criminal Justice

• Eric L. Piza, John Jay College of Criminal Justice

• Shun Feng, The Graduate Center, CUNY / John Jay College, CUNY