Understanding Police Violence: Neighborhood and Individual Characteristics in Chicago, IL

• In Event: Victimization

Abstract

Police misconduct data from Chicago, have been combined with Census data to create a multi-level dataset of incidents nested within particular census tracts. This study investigated the individual and group level factors that 1) impact the number of complaints particular zip codes have, and 2) increase the likelihood of sustained police misconduct. The combined dataset looks at variables including accused officer information, complaint details (location, complaint type, outcome), complainant demographics, as well group level factors including population proportions on race, income, education, employment, and community resilience, to understand the complete picture of who is more likely to have sustained police misconduct allegations, and what neighborhood factors contribute to sustained verdicts, as well as the number of complaints made against the police. Using hierarchical linear modeling, the analysis will draw from social disorganization, critical race, and minority threat theories to identify variables that could contribute to both the number of complaints made, and the complaints' outcome. In doing so, this research seeks to provide important insights to understanding the community level factors that lead to victimization through police misconduct, and inform policy to prevent and reduce misconduct instances, thus reducing police violence.

Author

• Susan Rosa Nembhard, CUNY Graduate Center/John Jay College/Urban Institute