Police Use of Force, Accountability, and Reform: A Comparative Analysis
Bachelor's Thesis · ~66 pages · English
Abstract
This thesis analyzes the causes of excessive police use of force, the barriers to accountability within law enforcement institutions, and the evidence base for reform strategies. Drawing on comparative analysis of U.S. cities and international examples, the research evaluates departmental factors—including training protocols, supervision structures, union contracts, and organizational culture—alongside external accountability mechanisms such as civilian oversight boards, consent decrees, and legislative mandates. The thesis finds that sustainable reform requires simultaneous action across multiple institutional levels, with community trust-building and transparent data collection as necessary preconditions.
1. Introduction
High-profile incidents of police use of force, including the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and others, have catalyzed national and international debates about policing practices and accountability. Yet excessive use of force is not a new phenomenon: decades of research document persistent patterns of racially disparate force application and limited officer accountability.
This thesis examines the institutional conditions enabling excessive force, the mechanisms impeding accountability, and the evidence for reform strategies that have demonstrably reduced force incidents while maintaining public safety.
2. Institutional Factors
The thesis identifies key institutional factors contributing to excessive force:
Organizational Culture - "Warrior mindset" training, us-versus-them mentalities, and code-of-silence norms that protect officers who use excessive force.
Union Contracts - Provisions requiring erasure of disciplinary records, restricting interrogation of officers after incidents, and mandating reinstatement of officers terminated for misconduct.
Limited Training - Average U.S. police academy training (21 weeks) significantly below international peers, with limited de-escalation and mental health crisis intervention content.
Inadequate Supervision - Span-of-control ratios limiting effective supervision of high-risk interactions.
3. Reform Evidence
Comparative analysis identifies reforms with strongest evidence of effectiveness:
• Use-of-Force Policy Restrictions - Cities adopting restrictive choke-hold bans and duty-to-intervene policies show measurable force reduction • Civilian Oversight with Real Authority - Boards with independent investigative power and disciplinary recommendation authority show stronger accountability outcomes than advisory-only models • Consent Decrees - DOJ-negotiated agreements show sustained improvements in use-of-force rates in cities including New Orleans and Chicago • Crisis Intervention Teams - Mental health co-responder models (e.g., CAHOOTS in Eugene, OR) reduce police use of force in mental health calls by 60-80% • Body-Worn Cameras - Effective when combined with swift review protocols and transparency about footage release
References
- [1]Chaney, C., & Robertson, R. V. (2013). Racism and police brutality in America. Journal of African American Studies, 17(4), 480-505.
- [2]Goff, P. A., Jackson, M. C., Di Leone, B. A. L., Culotta, C. M., & DiTomasso, N. A. (2014). The essence of innocence: Consequences of dehumanizing Black children. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 106(4), 526-545.
- [3]MacDonald, J., Fagan, J., & Geller, A. (2016). The effects of local police surges on crime and arrests in New York City. PLOS ONE, 11(6), e0157223.
- [4]Skogan, W. G., & Frydl, K. (Eds.). (2004). Fairness and Effectiveness in Policing: The Evidence. National Academies Press.
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