Date of Award

Spring 6-18-2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department/Program

Criminal Justice

Language

English

First Advisor or Mentor

Heath Grant

Second Reader

Jon Shane

Third Advisor

Valerie West

Abstract

Abstract

The study aims to explore the relationship between neighborhood Social disorganization and police use of force, specifically focusing on the Precinct level as a potential factor influencing forceful actions. The data for this research was taken from the following secondary sources: NYC Open Data for NYPD use of force incidents (2018), NYPD Historical Arrest 2018, Info Share for NYPD complaints, and American Community Survey 2014-2018.

As noted by Stroshine & Brandi (2020), the issue of police use of force has been a longstanding controversy, but recent years have seen heightened scrutiny and turbulence surrounding policing practices in the United States. The study aims to contribute to this discourse by employing various analytical strategies to predict the most common types of force used at the precinct level. By examining these variables within a socially disorganized environment, the study seeks to provide insights into the complex dynamics underlying police-community interactions and the factors that may influence the use of force by law enforcement officers. Ultimately, the findings of this research may inform policies and practices aimed at promoting more equitable and effective policing strategies within diverse urban communities. The findings from the Negative Binomial Regression supported the hypothesis. Significant predictors included the total number of complaints, the population under 15, and the total vacant units, which were all statistically significant and indicative of social disorganization within neighborhoods

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