Public Perceptions of Police Use of Force Encounters: Demographic, Attitudinal, and Situational Predictors

Abstract

The current work builds on past research by examining the extent to which demographic, attitudinal, and situational factors predict public perceptions of police use of force. Specifically, we move beyond general perceptions of force into specific perceptions of threat and responsibility related to both the officer and civilian. In a between-subjects experimental design, participants (N = 724) listened to a traffic stop vignette where a civilian engages in varying levels of noncompliance (less noncompliance v. more noncompliance) and the officer uses force. Participants completed measures of threat, responsibility, and reasonableness, as well as demographics and attitudes towards police legitimacy and authoritarianism. Participant age, education level, and political orientation significantly impacted judgments. Yet, the impact of demographics was diminished when police legitimacy and authoritarian attitudes were accounted for. The situational influence of civilian action also predicted perceptions, with attitudinal influences remaining significant even when controlling for civilian noncompliance. Individuals’ education level and police legitimacy attitudes predicted their perceptions of initial threat to both the officer and civilian prior to any officer force or civilian noncompliance. Implications and future directions are discussed.