Do policy and training changes influence patterns of police use of force? An interrupted time-series analysis

• Published in: Policing : an international journal of police strategies & management 2021-05, Vol.44 (3), p.469-482
• Main Authors: Rockwell, Alexis Rain, Bishopp, Stephen A, Orrick, Erin A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adjustment; Changes; De-escalation; Deadly force; Influence; Law enforcement; Nonlethal weapons; Police; Police departments; Policy making; Professional training; Time series
• ISSN: 1363-951X; 1758-695X
• DOI: 10.1108/PIJPSM-07-2020-0128

PurposeThe current study examines the effect of changing a specific use-of-force policy coupled with de-escalation training implementation on patterns of police use of force.Design/methodology/approachAn interrupted time-series analysis was used to examine changes in police use-of-force incident records gathered from a large, southwestern US metropolitan police department from 2013 to 2017 based on a TASER policy change and de-escalation training implementation mid-2015.FindingsResults demonstrate that changes to use-of-force policy regarding one type of force (i.e. use of TASERs) coinciding with de-escalation training influence the prevalence of use-of-force incidents by increasing the reported police use-of-force incidents after the changes were implemented. This finding is somewhat consistent with prior literature but not always in the desired direction.Practical implicationsWhen police departments make adjustments to use-of-force policies and/or trainings, unintended consequences may occur. Police administrators should measure policy and training outcomes under an evidence-based policing paradigm prior to making those adjustments.Originality/valueThis study is the first to measure the effects of changing use-of-force policy and implementing de-escalation techniques in training on patterns of police use of force and shows that these changes can have a ripple effect across types of force used by police officers.