Citation

Kerstetter WA, Rasinski KA, Heiert CL. J. Crim. Justice 1996; 24(1): 1-15.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1996, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/0047-2352(95)00048-8

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

One response to the recurring crises arising out of police use of force incidents is the establishment of procedures to review allegations of police misconduct. These procedures and their outcomes, however, often become ensnared in controversy themselves. In particular, accusations regarding the impact of race often play a significant role. To ascertain the role of race and other factors in the disposition of complaints against police, this study examines allegations of excessive use of nondeadly force by Chicago police officers. Using models from social psychology, numerous dimensions regarding complaints of police brutality and the investigation of those complaints are tested to determine their impact on complaint disposition. Two variables – evidence and duty status – have widespread significance in these models. The only significant racial effect in any of the models is the interactive variable reflecting the race of the investigator and the race of the complainant. Investigators of both races – African American and Caucasian American – when deciding a case involving a complainant of the other race, were less likely to make a definitive, negative judgment about the complaint than when the complainant was of the same race. The pattern of findings seems to support the hypothesis which states that the social situation of the decision maker may inhibit the impact of stereotypes.