Complaints about police misconduct have adverse effects for Black civilians Articles uri icon

publication date

  • October 2023

start page

  • 1

end page

  • 24

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 2049-8470

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 2049-8489

abstract

  • Existing literature examines the effectiveness of civilian oversight in reducing police misconduct. However, little-to-no quantitative research explores possible adverse consequences of this accountability mechanism. Utilizing time series analysis of administrative data on aggregate monthly civilian complaints and police behavior in the largest American city, this article offers evidence of racial inequality in police response to civilian complaints. For White civilians, complaint against the police abates subsequent police stops. For Black civilians, complaint is associated with subsequent intensification of police stops. This intensification only follows complaints against White officers, is conditional upon officer knowledge of the complaint, is confined to stops involving greater officer discretion to perform the stop, and is only observed in police precincts with large Black populations.