Officer force versus suspect resistance: A gendered analysis of patrol officers in an urban police department

This study examined patrol officer use of force and exposure to resistance on a gendered basis in an urban police department. Using data from use of force reports for the year 2000, a weighted force factor value was calculated for each officer. These values were then compared by officer gender. The...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of criminal justice 2007-03, Vol.35 (2), p.183-192
Main Authors: Bazley, Thomas D., Lersch, Kim Michelle, Mieczkowski, Thomas
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aggression
Crime
Criminal justice
Force
Gender
Gender differences
Law enforcement
Offenders
Police
Police officers
Resistance
Sex Differences
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Summary:This study examined patrol officer use of force and exposure to resistance on a gendered basis in an urban police department. Using data from use of force reports for the year 2000, a weighted force factor value was calculated for each officer. These values were then compared by officer gender. The mean value for both females and males was positive, indicating a tendency to employ lower force levels in response to higher levels of resistance. The male officer weighted force factor value, however, was significantly larger than that for the females. Placed within the context of the use of force continuum, this result suggested that male officer use of force vis-à-vis subject resistance spanned a wider range. Alternatively, female officers could be viewed as operating within a narrower range of the force continuum. One interpretation of this finding was that female and male officers responded differentially to subject resistance levels.
ISSN:0047-2352
1873-6203
DOI:10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2007.01.005