A Behavioural Theory of Discrimination in Policing

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Hubert, Ryan; Little, Andrew T.
• 署名单位: University of California System; University of California Davis; University of California System; University of California Berkeley; University of California System; University of California Davis
• 刊物名称: ECONOMIC JOURNAL
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0013-0133
• DOI: 10.1093/ej/uead043
• 发表日期: 2023
• 页码: 2828-2843
• 关键词: motor-vehicle searches; racial disparities; equilibrium; selection; BIAS

摘要

A large economic literature studies whether racial disparities in policing are explained by animus or by beliefs about group crime rates. But what if these beliefs are incorrect? We analyse a model where officers form beliefs using crime statistics, but do not properly account for the fact that they will detect more crime in more heavily policed communities. This creates a feedback loop where officers over-police groups that they (incorrectly) believe exhibit high crime rates. This inferential mistake can exacerbate discrimination even among officers with no animus and who sincerely believe that disparities are driven by real differences in crime rates.