Is Police Use of Force Contagious? The Role of Social Networks to Explain Police Decision-Making and Behavior

High-profile cases of police violence have spurred renewed attention to the issue of police use and misuse of force.  Sociologist and criminologist David Kirk will will investigate whether police officers exposed to use of force by fellow officers are more likely to use force after their exposure. He will analyze 911 call data, demographic data, work assignment data, records on use of force from the Dallas Police Department, and American Community Survey data for his study.