The Effect of Suspect Race and Degree of Suspect Resistance on Mock Officer Choice of Force

Abstract

With increasing focus on police misconduct surrounding use of force with individuals from minority groups, this study focused on perceptions of police and use of force. A 3 x 3 between-subjects factorial design determined the effect that suspect race and degree of suspect resistance have on participants’, acting as police officers, choice of force. A total of 153 participants were randomly assigned to receive one of nine vignettes in which they viewed a photograph of a suspect and read about a crime scene in which the suspect did not comply with the officer’s request to put hands in the air and instead displayed one of three levels of resistance. Participants indicated which of six levels of force they would use to subdue the threat. There was a statistically significant main effect for suspect resistance level but not for suspect race.