Black, white, and unequal: Examining situational determinants of arrest decisions from police–suspect encounters

Abstract

Using data from systematic social observations of police officers in Cincinnati, Ohio, this study examines the influence of situational characteristics of police–suspect encounters on arrest outcomes with a focus on the effects of citizen race. In several ways, the findings are consistent with much of the extant research in this area. Regardless of suspect race, legal variables like offense seriousness and evidence of criminal wrongdoing influence arrest. Several extralegal factors like citizen age, gender and demeanor also influence the likelihood of arrest. However, the effects of these variables differ between black and white suspects. The findings from the estimated models and their implications are discussed.