Police force and procedural justice training

A study examines the outcomes of training police in procedural justice strategies. Prior research has found that police use of force has increased public distrust of law-enforcement officers. However, it is unclear whether the procedural justice model of policing, which emphasizes respect, transparency, responding to community concerns, and explaining policing actions, reduces negative interactions with police. George Wood and colleagues assessed the effects of a training program initiated through the Chicago Police Department (CPD) that encouraged procedural justice policing strategies among 8,618 officers. Between 2012 and 2016, participating CPD officers attended a one-day training session. The authors examined whether training reduced mandatory use-of-force reports filed by police and police complaint reports between 2011 and 2016. Two years after the training program ended, complaints against the participating officers were reduced by 10% and use of force by the participating officers in civilian interactions were reduced by 6.4%. The findings suggest that changes to policing styles can be achieved with proper training, according to the authors.

Article #19-20671: “Procedural justice training reduces police use of force and complaints against of?cers,” by George Wood, Tom R. Tyler, and Andrew V. Papachristos.

MEDIA CONTACT: George Wood, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL; tel: 203-300-6192; email:

[email protected]

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