Improving Reporting of Bias-Based Policing Data

• In Event: Data on Crime and Policing

Abstract

While there are a growing number of studies examining bias-based policing, these studies often suffer from the “denominator problem.” This methodological limitation refers to the inability of researchers to determine the correct population to use as the denominator in the incident rate equation. The development of alternative benchmarks is ongoing. Meanwhile, bias-based policing has been of increasing concern for police agencies and the communities they serve. In an effort to aid police agencies in choosing the best benchmark, and to add the discussion of these methodological concerns, this study will describe the process utilized to collaboratively develop a transparent and defensible method for assessing bias-based policing using data from a medium-size police department in the Southeast. The experience of the researcher-practitioner partnership, and the utility of multiple benchmarks, will be discussed.

Authors

• Michele Stacey, East Carolina University

• Heidi Stone Bonner, East Carolina University