Police Striking Adults Analysis

Project Three

Topic from Project Three Milestone: Police Striking Adults

General Audience Summary

The data show clear racial differences in reports of police striking adults. Roughly 75% of White respondents, 35% of Black respondents, and 28% of Other racial groups reported being struck by police. This suggests that the likelihood of being hit by police varies notably across racial groups, with White respondents reporting the highest rate of these encounters.

Scientific Background Summary

Understanding the relationship between race and experiences with police force is a complex but important issue in psychology and social research. Public trust in law enforcement often depends on perceptions of fairness and accountability. Prior studies have shown that racial identity can shape both the frequency of police encounters and the interpretation of those interactions (Graziano & Gauthier, 2017). Analyzing data like this helps identify disparities and informs strategies for improving community relations and training practices within law enforcement.

Major Statistical Findings

A chi-square test of independence was used to assess whether race and being struck by police were related. The results showed a statistically significant association, χ²(2, N = 301) = 50.46, p < .001, with a Cramer’s V = .29, indicating a small-to-moderate relationship.

As shown in the figures (not included in markdown), the number of respondents reporting being struck differs substantially across racial groups. The proportion of White participants struck (75%) was much higher than that of Black (35%) or Other (28%) respondents. These findings suggest that race plays a meaningful role in how individuals experience police force.

General Audience Summary

The analysis found that race and reports of being struck by police are connected, with a significant difference across racial groups. White respondents reported being struck at higher rates, while Black and Other racial groups reported lower rates. These findings emphasize how statistical analysis can help uncover patterns in social experiences that might otherwise go unnoticed. Understanding these differences can support more targeted training and accountability practices that improve trust and fairness in law enforcement.

References

Graziano, L. M., & Gauthier, J. F. (2017). Examining the racial-ethnic continuum and perceptions of police misconduct. Policing and Society, 27(7), 657–672. https://doi.org/10.1080/10439463.2017.1310859

Pew Research Center. (2020, June 3). 10 things we know about race and policing in the U.S. https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2020/06/03/10-things-we-know-about-race-and-policing-in-the-u-s/