The Spatial Overlap between Specific Measures of Police Use of Force in Dallas, TX

• In Event: Open Data in Policing: Enhancing Public Safety and Transparency

Abstract

The accuracy of publicly available use-of-force datasets has been called into question by multiple scholars suggests that these datasets may be incomplete and not representative of all forces. Specific measures of force, such as taser display and firearm display, are considered problematic due to the limited evidence corroborating their existence, which may contribute to underreporting. This research introduces a framework to examine the potential of underreporting specific types of force through a spatial lens. Investigations at the micro level up to the census track level are used to achieve an understanding of the spatial overlap of where police report displaying tasers and firearms with locations where we would expect police to use these types of force based on levels of crime and disadvantage. To achieve an understanding of the potential for underreporting in police use of force data, this research will examine a single department in Dallas, TX. Results indicate significant spatial overlap between where police report displaying a taser or firearm and areas where these types of force are expected, but notable variations also exist, which shed light on the potential missingness that may exist within publicly available data.

Author

• Tyler Keller, Rutgers University