Analyzing Factors Associated with Civil Rights Violations in Police-Citizen Interactions: Insights from the Henry A. Wallace Police Crime Database

Criminal deprivation of civil rights occurs when an individual’s rights, as guaranteed by law, are infringed upon or denied based on their membership in a protected class or when a police officer acts under the color of law to violate someone’s federally protected rights. Previous research has found that officer characteristics (e.g., age and experience) and suspect characteristics (e.g., age, race, and gender) may influence the likelihood of a civil rights violation occurring during a police-citizen interaction. Few studies, however, have explored the factors linked to civil rights violations using a large, nationally representative, dataset. This study uses data from the Henry A. Wallace Police Crime Database to explore factors associated with criminal arrest cases involving civil rights violations committed by nonfederal sworn law enforcement between 2005 and 2019. Results from this study highlight the complexity of police-citizen interactions and the need for ongoing research to ensure fair and equitable treatment. Understanding the factors that contribute to civil rights violations is crucial for developing effective strategies to build trust and confidence in law enforcement among all segments of the population.

Presentation at the American Society of Criminology 2024 Annual Meeting in San Francisco, CA, on November 13, 2024.