Risk Factors Influencing the Victimization of Police Officers

• In Event: The Role of Social Institutions and Victimization

Abstract

Violence against police officers, or police officer victimization, remains a critical challenge for law enforcement agencies across the United States. This study applies Routine Activity Theory to examine how agency and policy factors and community characteristics influence police officer victimization in Texas law enforcement agencies in 2023. The analysis integrates three data sources: the 2023 National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS), the 2020 Law Enforcement Management and Administrative Statistics (LEMAS), and the 2021 American Community Survey (ACS). A negative binomial regression analysis will be conducted to assess these relationships. The findings aim to enhance understanding of the key factors contributing to officer victimization and inform the development of effective policy and precautionary measures for law enforcement agencies.

Authors

• Somin Kim, Sam Houston State University

• Yan Zhang, Sam Houston State University