Living in Occupied Territory: A Study of Militarization and Police use of Force

• In Event: Politics, Militarization, and Policing

Abstract

This paper studies the relationship between militarization of law enforcement agencies and recorded instances of use of force. We use LEMAS 2013 data- a nationally representative survey of law enforcement agencies in the U.S.- as well as item response theory and regression techniques to study these relationships. Results show that militarization and community policing are positively related to use of force, as is percent Black population. This demonstrates support for minority threat theory and indicates that community policing initiatives may not help build relationships and decrease tensions between law enforcement and citizens, as they are often implemented to do.

Authors

• Cori Pryor, Bowling Green State University

• Thomas J. Mowen, Bowling Green State University

• Michael McCamman, University of Arizona