Community-level Drivers of Police use of Force: A Test of Minority Threat, Ecological Contamination and Social Disorganisation Theories in a Non-U.S. Policing Jurisdiction

• In Event: Threat Perspectives and Policing

Abstract

Research on police use of force has examined the influence of a number of community characteristics on the use of force and excessive use of force within the U.S. policing context. Drivers of police use of force that have been most commonly examined to date at a community level include violent crime rates, concentrated disadvantage, racial heterogeneity and social disorganisation. However, little is known about how relevant these drivers of coercive police behaviour are outside of the U.S. policing context. The current study examines the distribution of police use of force across communities within a state-wide police agency in Australia, identifying community characteristics that are associated with higher frequency and severity of police use of force, and higher rates of disproportionate force. This study will examine support for minority threat theory, ecological contamination and social disorganisation as they apply to the distribution of police use of force across communities in Australia. Findings will be discussed with reference to the extant body of U.S. research and the unique policing context in Australia.

Authors

• Molly Miranda McCarthy, Griffith University

• Louise Porter, Griffith University

• Michael Townsley, Griffith University

• Geoffrey Alpert, University of South Carolina