Racial disparities in consent searches can stem from citizens’ fear rather than officer targeting

Evidence

Going a step further, police officials could examine the footage and uncover how policies are actually implemented on the ground. For example, does the race of the person stopped affect the likelihood that officers will inform them of their rights? Once informed, are Black community members less likely than White community members to refuse a consent search? In this case, the footage could be used to explore unanticipated implications of seemingly race-neutral policies. African American community members might not feel that they have a choice in refusing a police officer’s request, or they might be more fearful about the possible consequences of a refusal; in response, they may submit to consent searches at higher rates than similarly situated White community members. If this were the case, having this information would help a law enforcement agency tease apart that the racial disparities in consent searches that would ensue were not the result of officers “targeting” certain groups, but of how the community members themselves differentially responded. — Joseph Avery, Jim Sidanius, Joel Cooper, Gregory Davis, Amanda N., Bias in the Law, 434 (#corroborates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Perceived police unfairness reduces public willingness to cooperate; Racial disparities in consent searches may stem from community responses, not officer targeting. — Joseph Avery, Jim Sidanius, Joel Cooper, Gregory Davis, Amanda N., Bias in the Law: A Definitive Look at…, 434; Racial inequity in criminal justice involves three distinct covert mechanisms, not bias alone — Joseph Avery, Jim Sidanius, Joel Cooper, Gregory Davis, Amanda N., Bias in the Law: A Definitive Look at…, 1356 (+1 more)

Broader Connections

• Racial disparities in consent searches may stem from community responses, not officer targeting. #corroborates (0.97) — Joseph Avery, Jim Sidanius, Joel Cooper, Gregory Davis, Amanda N., Bias in the Law, 434