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The Factors that Motivate Law Enforcement's Use of Force: A Systematic Review
Author(s) -
Cowell Mariah,
Corsi Christopher,
Johnson Terence,
BrinkleyRubinstein Lauren
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
american journal of community psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.113
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1573-2770
pISSN - 0091-0562
DOI - 10.1002/ajcp.12460
Subject(s) - law enforcement , discretion , officer , health psychology , equity (law) , psychological intervention , enforcement , public relations , promotion (chess) , psychology , political science , law , criminology , public health , medicine , nursing , psychiatry , politics
Media attention relevant to law enforcement use of force in the last decade finally alerted the scientific community to the need for more research regarding law enforcement discretion and decision making. The purpose of this study was to synthesize the existing literature to explore the motivating factors for law enforcement use of force. This study will utilize a social–ecological framework to systematically examine factors that impact officer decisions to use force at the individual and community levels. The paper includes recommendations for research and practice through an equity lens that highlights the disparate use of force against men of color in particular. Interventions, trainings, education, and research to stop the promotion of perceived safety over justice will be highlighted.