Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Date of Degree

9-2026

Document Type

Doctoral Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Program

Criminal Justice

Advisor

Kevin T. Wolff

Committee Members

Eric L. Piza

Joshua D. Freilich

Joel A. Capellan

Keywords

Over-policing, Under-policing, Neighborhood Context, Trajectory Analysis, Police Behavior

Abstract

This dissertation examines patterns of over- and under-policing across neighborhoods in Kansas City, MO. Over- and under-policing can undermine police legitimacy, community trust, and public safety. Yet few empirical studies have directly operationalized these constructs, with existing research relying primarily on perception-based data and cross-sectional measures.

The present study uses longitudinal administrative data from the Kansas City, MO Police Department to more directly operationalize over- and under-policing over an 11-year period (2006–2016). It extends prior research by: 1) using group-based trajectory modeling to examine how over- and under-policing vary across neighborhoods and over time, 2) using dual trajectory analysis to assess the relationship between over- and under-policing trends, and 3) examining whether neighborhood characteristics, such as economic disadvantage and racial/ethnic composition, predict these patterns of police activity.

Results indicate that neighborhoods followed distinct trajectories of both over- and under-policing, with some neighborhoods experiencing persistently higher levels of over- and under-policing than others. However, contrary to prior research based on citizen perceptions, neighborhoods with higher levels of over-policing tended to experience lower levels of under-policing, and vice versa. Higher percentages of Black residents, crime levels, and CCTV surveillance were associated with higher over-policing, while residential instability and population density were negatively associated with higher under-policing. Implications for theory, policy, and future research are discussed.

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