The Factors that Motivate Law Enforcement's Use of Force: A Systematic Review

• Published in: American journal of community psychology Vol. 67; no. 1-2; pp. 142 - 151
• Main Authors: Cowell, Mariah, Corsi, Christopher, Johnson, Terence, Brinkley‐Rubinstein, Lauren
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Blackwell Science Ltd 01.03.2021
• Subjects: Decision making; Discretion; Law enforcement; Police; Police brutality; Scientific community; Social–ecological model; Systematic review; Use of force; Violence; Use of force; Police brutality; Law enforcement; Violence; Social-ecological model; Police; Discretion
• ISSN: 0091-0562; 1573-2770
• DOI: 10.1002/ajcp.12460

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. Highlights Social‐ecological framework is used to examine use of force at the individual and community level. We discuss recommendations for research through an equity lens that highlights community organizers. Interventions, trainings, and education to stop the promotion of perceived safety over justice are highlighted.