Causes of Passive Representation in American Policing: Politics and Officer Selection

Abstract

The previous chapter paints a clear picture of minority underrepresentation in American policing. Yet, we observe considerable variation in the degree of representation, both across groups and over time. This chapter attempts to explain this variation. Why are some departments more racially representative than others? Why do departments’ representativeness change over time? Using comprehensive data from 100 large cities over a twenty-year period, we test three possible explanations for this variation. First, the makeup of law enforcement agencies may be susceptible to influence by political leaders . When these leaders care about the racial makeup of the police department’s rank and file, they may alter its degree of representation . Second, requirements and restrictions surrounding the hiring of police officers are likely to influence the racial makeup of the force. We focus on one type of requirements, those that mandate that officers live within a certain distance of the jurisdiction. Finally, union presence and strength affects the ease of hiring and firing officer, making it plausible that union presence might also affect the racial makeup of the police force. While all of these characteristics are correlated with changes in passive representation , we find especially robust evidence of influence by political leaders.