Police Quarterly

Fix, Rebecca L.; Papazoglou, Konstantinos; Padilla, Kathleen E.; Blumberg, Daniel M.

doi: 10.1177/10986111231223905pmid: N/A

There has been an increase in wellness programming within police agencies across the U.S. We examined factors contributing to and inhibiting use of within-department and external mental wellness programming using a sequential mixed methods design within a large Mid-Atlantic U.S. metropolitan police department. Sworn and civilian policing personnel completed surveys (n = 297) and interviews (n = 26). Regression models and chi-square tests were run on survey data, and open coding was used to analyze qualitative interview data. Results from triangulation of data demonstrated departmental mistrust and confidentiality in service usage were barriers to services. Additionally, the pervasiveness of stigma within the department and the field of policing at large was emphasized. Health insurance was key to accessing mental health services when people reached a point of extreme stress. In response, within-agency messaging about confidentiality of services and options for external mental health services should be prioritized in police agencies. Furthermore, police agencies looking to promote mental health could start by offering health insurance plans that include coverage of mental health services.

Ariel, Barak; Gregory, Allan; Cronin, Luke; Ebbs, Benjamin; Wiffin, Melanie; Michel, Nicholas

doi: 10.1177/10986111241227219pmid: N/A

Interagency cooperation may increase efficiency and cost-effectiveness in an era of resource austerity and increased workload for both the police and their partners. Yet the effect of a strategic police-security collaboration on routine operations across multiple sites is unknown. In a controlled experiment, we introduced an interagency collaboration between state and non-state guardianships to train stations across England. A mixed-methods approach, with multiple crime indicators and a survey administered with police officers and security partners, was applied through a series of before-and-after comparisons with staggered start dates to control for confounding variables. Crime recording, police proactivity and crisis intervention increased compared to controls. Security staff and officers valued collaboration and saw it as beneficial and efficient. The findings support police-private-security collaboration on crime and disorder, but more research with larger and more diverse samples and stricter control over rival explanations is needed.

Zhang, Yan; Zhao, Jihong Solomon; Lin, Chia-Hung

doi: 10.1177/10986111241232640pmid: N/A

The purpose of this study is to examine the George Floyd effect on depolicing. Police misdemeanor and felony arrests by the Houston Police Department (HPD), with these police actions serve as the primary measures of law enforcement behavior. Specifically, we break down police misdemeanor and felony arrests among Hispanic, Black, and White residents. An Interrupted Time Series Analysis model is used in the analysis. The primary findings suggest that there was an initial steep drop of police arrests immediately after the Floyd incident for both misdemeanor and felony arrests. The long-term effect, however, remains present in only misdemeanant arrests. Police felony arrests went back to pre-incident levels within a short period of time. In addition, it is noted that the pattern of arrests between Blacks and Hispanics is similar. Some policy implications and the limitations of the study are discussed in a concluding section.

Rossler, Michael T.; Scheer, Charles

doi: 10.1177/10986111241234317pmid: N/A

Police workforce retention has become a persistent managerial concern. The public response to recent events of police misconduct have fuelled the perception that police may be seeking other career paths following the murder of George Floyd in 2020. Despite growing evidence, current research has been unable to ascertain what conditions may prompt officers to voluntarily separate from police work following Floyd’s murder, or whether the impact varies across demographic groups. Drawing upon a survey of over 600 police officers across eight police departments in the United States, the current inquiry examines what percent of officers reported reconsidering their career following the George Floyd incident, and whether demographic information and occupational attitudes could predict whether officers reconsidered their careers. Findings indicated that female officers were more likely to strongly agree that it made them reconsider their careers, and that instrumental concerns (i.e., public support, personal liability, localized fallout, and concern over media attention) were also influential.

Wolfe, Scott E.; Mclean, Kyle; Alpert, Geoffrey P.; Rojek, Jeff

doi: 10.1177/10986111241234310pmid: N/A

The literature on cognitive distortions offers insight on why we continue to face reform challenges regarding police use of force- and citizen interaction-related outcomes. We used two studies of police officers to determine the extent to which one cognitive distortion—dichotomous thinking—was associated with problematic orientations about use of force and citizen interactions. In Study 1, we found that dichotomous thinking was associated with weaker support for de-escalation, procedural justice, and maintaining self-control during hypothetical citizen interactions. Dichotomous thinking also was associated with more support for force-related misconduct. Study 2 showed that officers who engaged in dichotomous thinking were more likely to perceive an immediate and serious threat from watching suspects in body-worn camera videos. Also, they were more likely to believe suspects had greater ability, opportunity, and intent to cause harm. We discuss the practical implications of these findings for policing and police reform.

Kochel, Tammy R.; Nouri, Seyvan

doi: 10.1177/10986111241237512pmid: N/A

Research points to implicit bias as one factor driving racial disparities in enforcement activities. Addressing implicit bias is essential to promote equity and integrity in policing and to building trust and legitimacy in communities, according to the President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing. However, investigations into the efficacy of implicit bias training for police are sparse. This study evaluates in-service implicit bias training, examining the impact on trainees’ knowledge, attitudes, and self-professed likelihood of applying antibias strategies to mitigate the effects of implicit bias. We found significant improvements to officers’ knowledge of how implicit bias works and its consequences, an increased attribution to procedural justice, and officers reported being more likely, following the training, to apply strategies to reduce the effects of implicit bias during encounters with public. Results benefit police departments that seek to reduce unconscious prejudice, ensure impartiality and equity, and develop better relations with minority communities.