Work

Judicial Decisions on Electronic Control Devices and Police Escalation of Force

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Jurisprudence regarding whether police use of electronic control devices (ECDs) constitutes excessive use of force varies substantially across US states and over time. In this letter, we investigate the extent to which year-to-year switches in US Courts of Appeals decisions lead to escalations in police use of force. Using a generalized difference-in-difference design, we show that switches in judicial restrictiveness regarding the legal use of ECDs are associated with an increase in the use of lethal force as measured by the number of civilians shot and killed by police officers.

Source: The Journal of Politics

DOI: 10.1086/733005

Authors: Courtenay R. Monroe, Sophia Hatz, Kristine Eck

Institutions: University of California, Merced, Uppsala University, Aalborg University

Language: English

Topic: Policing Practices and Perceptions

Subfield: Political Science and International Relations

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: green

Funders: Arizona State University, European Commission, H2020 European Research Council