Violent Offenders Research Articles

Juvenile Violent Victimization and Adult Criminal Outcomes: The Role of Military Service as a Turning Point in Young Adulthood.

Previous research has consistently shown that juvenile violent victimization is associated with an increased risk of future criminal involvement, a phenomenon commonly known as victim-offender overlap. Despite a growing interest in the factors underlying this overlap, potential roles of major life transitions and turning points that may interrupt and reshape the nature of this developmental association have garnered less academic attention. Analyzing nationally representative data from waves I, IV, and V of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health; n = 10,205), this study investigates the association between juvenile violent victimization and adult criminal outcomes (i.e., violent offending, non-violent offending, arrest, and incarceration) and whether this association is moderated by military service with and without combat experience in young adulthood. Employing a series of logistic regression analyses and adjusting for a host of covariates, measures of selection, and criminogenic traits, we found that juvenile violent victimization was significantly associated with greater odds of violent offending, arrest, and incarceration in adulthood. Among individuals with violent victimization histories, military service with no combat experience was associated with a 16% decrease in the odds of incarceration in adulthood. Combat experience, however, was associated with over seven times greater odds of violent offending in adulthood for these individuals. These findings have important implications for theory, research, and practice, and highlight the relevance of life transitions and turning points in general, and military service in particular, in mitigating or perpetuating the criminogenic impacts of violent victimization in the life course.

Pinpointing change in virtual reality assisted treatment for violent offenders: a pilot study of Virtual Reality Aggression Prevention Training (VRAPT).

Preventing relapse into violence and its destructive consequences among persistent re-offenders is a primary concern in forensic settings. The Risk-Need-Responsivity framework models the best current practice for offender treatment, focused on building skills and changing pro-criminal cognitions. However, treatment effects are often modest, and the forensic context can obstruct the delivery of interventions. Developing treatments for offenders should focus on the best method of delivery to make "what works work." Virtual reality (VR)-assisted treatments such as Virtual Reality Aggression Prevention Training (VRAPT) are a new and innovative approach to offender treatment. This pilot study followed 14 male violent offenders who participated in VRAPT in a Swedish prison context and measured changes from pre-treatment to post-treatment and 3-month follow-up in targeted aggression, emotion regulation, and anger. It also investigated potential impact factors (pro-criminal cognitions, externalizing behaviors, psychosocial background, and childhood adverse experiences). In Bayesian linear mixed effects models, participants showed a high probability of change from pre-treatment to post-treatment and to follow-up on all outcome measures. All outcome measures demonstrated a low probability of change from post-treatment to follow-up. Analysis of reliable change showed that participants' results ranged from recovery to deterioration. We discuss the implications of the study for VRAPT's impact on the target group, those who might benefit from the approach, and suggested foci for future studies in the field of VR-assisted offender treatment. The study was preregistered at the International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number registry (https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN14916410).

Does early adversity predict aggression among Chinese male violent juvenile offenders? The mediating role of life history strategy and the moderating role of meaning in life

BackgroundAdolescent aggression has long been of interest to researchers. However, few studies have examined the influencing factors and mechanisms of aggression among violent juvenile offenders. This study tests a moderated mediation model with Chinese male violent juvenile offenders as subjects. Specifically, it explores the relationship between early adversity and aggression, as well as the mechanisms of life history strategy and meaning in life in this relationship.MethodsA total of 537 Chinese male violent juvenile offenders completed the Childhood Environment Scale, the Life History Strategy Short Form Scale, the Aggression Questionnaire, and the Meaning in Life Questionnaire. After controlling for socioeconomic status (SES), the current cross-sectional study used structural equation modeling (SEM) to examine a moderated mediation model.ResultsThe results showed that life history strategy mediated the relationship between early adversity and aggression, and early adversity affected individuals’ aggression by accelerating their life history strategies. The results also showed that meaning in life moderated the relationship between early adversity and life history strategy. For individuals with high meaning in life scores, the negative predictive effect of early adversity on life history strategy was stronger than that for individuals with low meaning in life scores.ConclusionThe results of this study can advance the understanding of how early adversity affects aggression among violent juvenile offenders and provide theoretical support for prison staff to develop educational strategies and subsequent interventions.

Violent Offending in Males With or Without Schizophrenia: A Role for Social Cognition?

Reduced social cognition has been reported in individuals who have committed interpersonal violence. It is unclear if individuals with schizophrenia and a history of violence have larger impairments than violent individuals without psychosis and non-violent individuals with schizophrenia. We examined social cognition in two groups with violent offenses, comparing their performance to non-violent individuals with schizophrenia and healthy controls. Two social cognitive domains were assessed in four groups: men with a schizophrenia spectrum disorder with (SSD-V, n = 27) or without (SSD-NV, n = 42) a history of violence, incarcerated men serving preventive detention sentences (V, n = 22), and healthy male controls (HC, n = 76). Theory of mind (ToM) was measured with the Movie for the Assessment of Social Cognition (MASC), body emotion perception with Emotion in Biological Motion (EmoBio) test. Kruskal-Wallis H-tests revealed overall group differences for social cognition. SSD-V had a global and clinically significant social cognitive impairment. V had a specific impairment, for ToM. Binary logistic regressions predicting violence category membership from social cognition and psychosis (SSD status) were conducted. The model with best fit, explaining 18%-25% of the variance, had ToM as the only predictor. Social cognitive impairment was present in individuals with a history of violence, with larger and more widespread impairment seen in schizophrenia. ToM predicted violence category membership, psychosis did not. The results suggest a role for social cognition in understanding interpersonal violence.

Supplemental Material for Assessment of Psychopathy Among Justice-Involved Adult Males With Low Versus Average Intelligence: Differential Links to Violent Offending

Supplemental Material for Assessment of Psychopathy Among Justice-Involved Adult Males With Low Versus Average Intelligence: Differential Links to Violent Offending

School truancy and welfare receipt dynamics in early adulthood: A longitudinal study

School truancy is associated with many negative life outcomes, including violent, property, and drug offending, lower levels of education, and subsequently lower status and lower-paying jobs. These negative life outcomes are also related to future reliance on government welfare payments. This research sought to identify how high school truancy affects young people's welfare receipt dynamics in emerging adulthood. It uses longitudinal data from a nationally representative household panel survey (the Household Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia Survey) to estimate the effect of truancy on young people's likelihood of receiving government-paid cash transfers in emerging adulthood. We find that young people who are truant are over four times more likely to receive cash transfers than young people who are not truant. Findings also show that the extent of truancy does not impact the likelihood of welfare receipt, even when differentiating between infrequent and problem truants. We conclude with some comments on truancy's role in welfare dynamics.

Do Moral Values Moderate the Relationship Between Immigrant-School Concentration and Violent Offending? A Cross-Level Interaction Analysis of Self-Reported Violence in Sweden

ABSTRACT The study examines whether school-level immigrant concentration is related to students’ involvement in violence, and whether students’ moral values moderate the relationship between immigrant concentration and violence. The study is based on six nationally representative school surveys conducted by the Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention between 1999 and 2011, with a combined sample of 38,711 adolescents. We have combined different surveys to create one large pooled data set to evaluate segregation effects at the school level. Multilevel linear probability models are used to examine cross-level interaction effects. This study shows that contextual effects impact students differently, and that the relationship between immigrant concentration and violence is considerably stronger for adolescents with weak personal moral values. The paper provides empirical support for the differential vulnerability hypothesis. Policy and practice would benefit from a focus on the further development of programs and interventions that target personal moral values, not least in schools.

Do Moral Values Moderate the Relationship Between Immigrant-School Concentration and Violent Offending? A Cross-Level Interaction Analysis of Self-Reported Violence in Sweden

Do Moral Values Moderate the Relationship Between Immigrant-School Concentration and Violent Offending? A Cross-Level Interaction Analysis of Self-Reported Violence in Sweden

Neuropsychiatric correlates of olfactory identification and traumatic brain injury in a sample of impulsive violent offenders.

Olfactory deficits have a diverse etiology and can be detected with simple olfactory tests. Key olfactory pathways are located within the frontal and temporal lobes where they are vulnerable to damage due to head trauma. Orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) integrity is important for olfaction and aspects of behavioral regulation. We measured olfactory identification ability in a sample of impulsive violent offenders to determine its associations with history of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and a range of neuropsychiatric indices, including proxies for cognitive ability, impulsivity and social connectedness. Male participants were drawn from the ReINVEST study, a randomized controlled trial of sertraline to reduce recidivism in violent impulsive offenders. Criteria for participation in the study included a minimum age of 18 years, a documented history of two or more violent offenses, and a score of 70 or above on the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11). The 16-item "Sniffin sticks" (SS) odor identification test (OI) was administered as were standardized questionnaires regarding previous TBI, additional measures to screen cognition [word reading test of the Wechsler Individuals Achievement Test (WIAT), social connectedness (the Duke Social Support Scale), and a range of other neuropsychiatric conditions or symptoms]. The sample SS scores were compared against published age-specific norms. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed with SS score (linear regression, within those without hyposmia) or hyposmia (logistic regression) as the outcome. The mean OI scores were lower than population norms and 16% of participants were classified as hyposmic. Univariate analyses showed associations of SS score with age, WIAT score, impulsivity, TBI and TBI severity, social connectedness, childhood sexual abuse, suicidality and current use of heroin. In multivariate analyses, age, TBI severity and WIAT remained as significant independent predictors of SS score (within the normosmic range) or hyposmia (logistic regression). Olfactory performance was associated with multiple behavioral phenomena in a pattern that would be consistent with this serving as a proxy for orbitofrontal functioning. As such, OI testing may have utility in further studies of offenders. In future, we will examine whether olfactory score predicts recidivism or response to the administration of sertraline, in terms of reducing recidivism.

Alcohol Consumption and Violent Offending: Findings From a Longitudinal Study on Korean Youth from Mid to Late Adolescence

Although past research highlights a close relationship between alcohol and crime, its role as a static (i.e., stable) and dynamic (i.e., changing) risk factor of violent delinquency has been less studied. Cross-lagged dynamic panel models were employed to address this issue based on a longitudinal Korean adolescent sample. Despite the significant independent effects of baseline individual differences in alcohol use, its impact on violence was no longer statistically significant when accounting for within-individual changes in alcohol consumption. However, we also found interaction effects between baseline and within-individual changes in alcohol consumption; youth who consume more alcohol at earlier ages and engage in more alcohol use over time are more likely to engage in violence. Findings stress the importance of studying static and dynamic factors and their interaction to provide a greater understanding of violent delinquency. Limitations and implications for policy and practices are discussed.

Do patron bans reduce crime? An examination of assault offences in Western Australia, before and after the introduction of police-imposed barring notices

ABSTRACT This paper explores whether the introduction of police-imposed barring notices in Western Australia (WA) is associated with changes to the number, type and location of recorded assaults. Police-imposed barring notices were introduced in WA in January 2011, and are issued in response to alcohol-related disorderly behaviours in/around licensed venues. A barring notice can exclude the recipient from one or more licensed venues for up to one year. WA Police provided unit level records of 67,750 assault incidents occurring during high-alcohol hours – 8pm to 6am on Friday and Saturday nights – between 1 July 2007 and 30 June 2020. This enabled data from before and after the introduction of barring notices to be compared. The findings identified a number of potentially positive effects of barring notices, including significant reductions (p < 0.001) in non-family assault offences marked with an alcohol flag, assault offences recorded occurring on pathways (which includes areas around licensed premises), and common assault offences marked with an alcohol flag. These categories clearly align with the intended use and effect/s of barring notices, and the findings are encouraging. The effects of other factors on offending numbers cannot be excluded, but the association between the introduction of barring notices and, in particular, a reduction in alcohol-flagged violent offending appears to support the use of barring notices in WA.

Reviewing the devices of those subject to Sexual Harm Prevention Orders (SHPOs): iOS opportunities, limitations and strategies

ABSTRACT In England and Wales, Management of Sexual or Violent Offenders (MOSOVO) teams are often tasked with managing offenders that are subject to Sexual Harm Prevention Orders SHPOs. These orders are put in place to protect the public and contain a series of prohibitions that allow for an offender’s conduct to be regulated and reviewed. SHPOs can be used to govern how offenders use their digital devices, particularly with regard to accessing the internet and the sending of electronic communications. To ensure SHPO compliance, officers frequently conduct reviews of any offender’s devices, sometimes manually by traversing a device’s menus and screens. These device manual reviews are not easy to conduct, often done under time pressures and in the knowledge that any missed evidence of misconduct may facilitate an offender to continue any wrongdoing and potentially increase the risk of harm to members of the public. Further, it is not always technical specialists undertaking this role. This work outlines a manual review strategy for devices running the operating system iOS (Apple products) to support officers in this role. Guided by commonly included SHPO prohibitions, relevant digital traces for evaluating SHPO compliance are highlighted, and limitations surrounding determining user behaviour are also discussed.

Self-reported traumatic brain injury in a sample of impulsive violent offenders: neuropsychiatric correlates and possible "dose effects".

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major public health problem that may be associated with numerous behavioral problems, including impulsivity, aggression and violence. Rates of self-reported TBI are high within offender populations, but the extent to which TBI is causally implicated in causing illegal behavior is unclear. This study examined the psychological and functional correlates of histories of traumatic brain injury in a sample of impulsive violent offenders. Study participants, all men, had been recruited to participate in a randomized controlled trial of sertraline to reduce recidivism. Study entry criteria were an age of at least 18 years, a documented history of two or more violent offenses and a score of 70 or above on the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale. An extensive list of standardized questionnaires was administered to obtain information on previous TBI and other neuropsychiatric conditions or symptoms. In the sample of 693 men, 66% were aged between 18 and 35 years old, and 55% gave a history of TBI ("TBI+"). Overall, 55% of study participants reported at least one TBI. High levels of neuropsychiatric symptomatology were reported. In 75% of TBI+ individuals, their most severe TBI (by self-report) was associated with loss of consciousness (LOC) < 30 min. Compared to TBI- (those without history of TBI) participants, TBI+ individuals were more impulsive (Eysenck Impulsivity), irritable, angry, and reported higher levels of assaultive behavior, depressive symptomology, alcohol use disorder, suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and lower quality of life. Potential "dose effects" of TBI severity and frequency in terms of neuropsychiatric symptomatology were identified. Like other studies of offender populations, single and multiple TBIs were very common. The associations of TBI, TBI severity, and TBI frequency (i.e., TBI "burden") with adverse neuropsychiatric phenomena suggest TBI contributes importantly to offender morbidity but the select nature of the sample and cross-sectional study design constrain the interpretation of these findings.

Differentiating Between Sexual Offending and Violent Non-sexual Offending in Men With Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders Using Machine Learning.

Forensic psychiatric populations commonly contain a subset of persons with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD) who have committed sex offenses. A comprehensive delineation of the features that distinguish persons with SSD who have committed sex offenses from persons with SSD who have committed violent non-sex offenses could be relevant to the development of differentiated risk assessment, risk management and treatment approaches. This analysis included the patient records of 296 men with SSD convicted of at least one sex and/or violent offense who were admitted to the Centre for Inpatient Forensic Therapy at the University Hospital of Psychiatry Zurich between 1982 and 2016. Using supervised machine learning, data on 461 variables retrospectively collected from the records were compared with respect to their relative importance in differentiating between men who had committed sex offenses and men who had committed violent non-sex offenses. The final machine learning model was able to differentiate between the two types of offenders with a balanced accuracy of 71.5% (95% CI = [60.7, 82.1]) and an AUC of .80 (95% CI = [.67, .93]). The main distinguishing features included sexual behaviours and interests, psychopathological symptoms and characteristics of the index offense. Results suggest that when assessing and treating persons with SSD who have committed sex offenses, it appears to be relevant to not only address the core symptoms of the disorder, but to also take into account general risk factors for sexual recidivism, such as atypical sexual interests and sexual preoccupation.

The Key Role of Political Prisoners in Transcending Protracted Conflicts

Abstract Resolving protracted, asymmetric, and ethno-national conflicts is a notoriously problematic process, and only a handful of such attempts have ended in success. This paper is the first comparative study examining the relevance of “politically motivated violent offenders” (PMVOs) in propelling the shift from a long and bloody armed struggle to a negotiated agreement; indeed, they play an indispensable role in the ratification and the eventual implementation of any such agreement. We compare the role of PMVOs in three cases of protracted conflict resolution processes in the 1990s—Northern Ireland, South Africa, and the Israeli-Palestinian Oslo Accords. We argue that PMVOs constitute a distinguished socio-political actor characterized by high symbolic capital as the embodiment of the national struggle. This renders them a major source of political legitimacy, a necessary condition for attaining peace with hitherto sworn enemies and securing its implementation and stabilization. The paper analyzes the provisions within the respective agreements pertaining to prisoners’ release as an incentive, or lack thereof, especially for organizations outside the peace process to cease violence. Whereas the British and South African governments fully recognized the PMVO issue, Israel’s failure to recognize its importance was a major factor leading to the breakdown of the Oslo process.

Twenty years in the making: Revisiting Laub and Sampson's version of life-course criminology

PurposeUsing data on participants born around 100 years ago, Laub and Sampson asserted that early developmental risk factors are not informative of social outcomes in adulthood. More specifically, they claimed that early risk factors were not informative of adulthood informal social control, persistent offending, and the degree to which informal social control protects against later offending. We offer a contemporary comparison point to these claims that carry theoretical implications for developmental and life-course criminology. MethodsThe current study used prospective longitudinal data on 518 male and female participants from the Incarcerated Serious and Violent Young Offender Study. Early developmental risk for persistent offending was measured via the Psychopathy Checklist: Youth Version (PCL:YV). Informal social control was measured in emerging adulthood via the Community Risk Needs Assessment (CRNA). Offending trajectories were measured for an average of 15 years following participants' CRNA ratings. ResultsPCL:YV scores were negatively associated with informal social control (selection effects), positively associated with persistent offending, and negatively related to lower rates of offending, even when informal social control was high (treatment effect heterogeneity). ConclusionsFindings align with Elder's conceptualization of life-course theory that acknowledges the potential for individual, social, and macro-level factors to shape human development.

대학 캠퍼스 내에서의 범죄데이터 분석을 통한 취약요소 개선 연구

The aim of this study is to derive the design factors of CPTED through the analysis of crime data on university campuses. Through prior research, campus crime analysis was reflected based on the Routine activity theory, and campus crime data was analyzed from four perspectives: criminal with motivated offender, suitable target, absence of guardians, and matching place and the time of crime.&#x0D; First, it is the result of analyzing criminals with motivated offender. There were many crimes by insiders, especially college students, who are members of the school, and sexual assault and violence were committed by outsiders, not by school members. And It has been showed that some violent offenders are under the influence of alcohol.&#x0D; Second, in the results of analysis about suitable target, The proportion of victims of insider, such as students and faculty members, accounted for the majority with 97.7% of theft, 97.4% of sexual assault, and 80.8% of violence. In the analysis by gender, men accounted for 51.9% and women 48.1% of theft damage, while women accounted for 97.4% of sexual assault, but men accounted for 76.9% of violence. As a result of the analysis, most of the items damaged by theft were laptops, wallets, and cash that could be easily accessed and moved.&#x0D; Third, it is the result of the analysis of the absence of guardians. The state of not protecting the victim or the damaged item was analyzed. The theft was damaged while 93.2 percent were away, and in the case of sexual violence, 76.3 percent had no one to ask for help. However, violence occurred even in situations where 73.1% were around when it occurred. As a result of spatial analysis, theft and sexual assault were common in places such as closed lecture rooms and club rooms without being seen from the outside, and violence was mostly committed in open spaces outside. In terms of CCTV installation, theft occurred more in places where CCTVs were installed than in places where CCTVs were not installed.&#x0D; Fourth, in the result of analyzing the place and the time of the crime. As classifying by campus places, crimes occurred in the order of class room(40.1%), living space(15.2%), outdoor space(12.2%), and library(8.1%). As for the total crime time, crimes occurred the most during the afternoon from 12:00 to 6:00 pm, and violence occurred during the night time, which is the time after class.&#x0D; Through campus crime data analysis, comprehensive campus security plans are needed to take into account the user needs for security and spatiotemporal risk characteristics, and crime prevention measures should be established through CPTED's strategies.&#x0D; It is important to establish crime prevention measures through CPTED strategies and to design them so that they do not go against autonomy, creative studies, and a pleasant natural environment.

Effectiveness of Non-Custodial Reintegration Programmes on Welfare of Returnee Terrorist Fighters in Mombasa, Kenya

A strong and effective non-custodial reintegration process, working in close collaboration with civil society organizations and communities, will facilitate transition back into society for former violent extremist offenders, demonstrate ongoing goodwill, and provide an essential support structure for the returnee terrorist fighters. This study aimed to assess the influence that non-custodial reintegration programs have on the well-being of returned terrorist fighters in Mombasa County, while also taking into consideration the risk that these programs may present if they are not employed appropriately. This understanding contributes to the growing necessity for both governmental and non-governmental actors to contribute to the development and implementation of non-custodial reintegration programs. The study utilized a descriptive research design using quantitative and qualitative methods to evaluate the efficacy of non-custodial reintegration programs on the well-being of returnee terrorist fighters in Mombasa County, Kenya. From a sample size of 400 respondents needed for investigation from the target population of Mombasa Count, the study drew data from focus group discussions (FGDs), interviews with key informants, and questionnaires that were physically delivered and electronically disseminated using the Google Forms application. The county was shown to have the highest rates of violent extremism and recidivism in Kenya. From the findings it is evident that for non-custodial reintegration programmes for returnee terrorist fighters to be effective, it is necessary to ensure that community stakeholders and other non-governmental actors have the required legal and policy space and capacity to engage; acknowledge the relative advantages of government and non-governmental stakeholders; and clearly identify the appropriate division of responsibilities between them in supporting non-custodial reintegration programmes and to make this strategy a reality. In conclusion, a strong and effective non-custodial reintegration process, working in close collaboration with civil society organizations and communities facilitates the transition back into society for former violent extremist offenders and thereby providing required support system to the former violent extremist offenders.

Domestic Violence: A Problem And How It Affects Children's Psyche

The majority of victims of domestic violence have always been women, and this pattern has persisted into the 21st century. Regardless of their age, religion, caste, or social status, women from all social backgrounds are affected by domestic abuse. Domestic abuse, however, can also afflict men, children, and the elderly in addition to women. All facets of society and demographics are impacted by domestic violence. Domestic abuse refers to a pattern of abusive behaviour done by one partner to take or maintain control over a romantic partner. It can happen in any kind of partnership. Any pattern of coercive behaviour that negatively impacts a person in an intimate partner relationship, regardless of whether it is physical, sexual, emotional, economical, psychological, or technical, is considered domestic abuse. No matter a person's ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, religion, sex, or gender identity, domestic abuse can affect them. Domestic abuse affects people from all socioeconomic backgrounds and educational degree. Intimate partners who are married, residing together, dating, or who are parents together might experience domestic violence. In both same sex and opposite partnerships, it is possible. The victims of domestic abuse, as well as their family, friends, workplace, any witnesses, and the community at large, are all significantly impacted. Domestic violence has a detrimental effect on many people, including children who endure it as they grow up. Frequent exposure to violence in the home teaches children that abuse is a normal part of life, which increases the likelihood that they will grow up to be society's next victims and abusers in addition to exposing them to a number of physical and social problems. Abuse in the home is nothing new. It has been a part of societies all around the world for a very long time. The goal of a growing initiative in the second half of the 20th century was to raise awareness of this enduring societal problem. As a result, legislation was passed by the federal and state governments to safeguard victims and hold violent offenders accountable. 1994 saw the initial passage of the Federal Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). It generously supports programmes to stop domestic violence. Domestic violence is a severe public . According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 26% of men and 41% of women have experienced intimate partner violence at some point in their life. All three types of abuse are mentioned in reports of physical abuse, sexual abuse, and stalking to law enforcement.

“Young Brown Men Being Brutish”: How Police Ten 7 Portrays Māori and Pacifica People as Violent and Criminal in Aotearoa New Zealand.

In 2021, the New Zealand reality-TV show Police Ten 7 was publicly criticized for feeding racial stereotypes by showing “young brown men being brutish”. While several overseas studies verify that reality-TV crime shows tend to portray non-white minorities as intrinsically criminal, such research is scarce in New Zealand. Our study sought to determine whether Police Ten 7 represents Māori and Pasifika (i.e., “brown”) people fairly in light of official police statistics; and, particularly, if any distorted representation suggests that Māori and Pasifika people are more violent. We analysed 12 episodes of Police Ten 7, aired in late 2020, quantitatively and compared our data with official police statistics. We found that, on Police Ten 7, Māori and Pasifika people are underrepresented as police officers and overrepresented as suspects, and overrepresented in violent offence categories. Also, most of the TV airtime dedicated to suspects is spent on Māori and Pasifika. We argue that these distortions are intensified through contrasting juxtapositions with white suspects who are underrepresented both as suspects and violent offenders, and overrepresented as harmless drunks and bad drivers. We conclude that together these distortions and contrasting juxtapositions serve to promote the image of Māori and Pasifika as the violent criminal other.