By: Anthony Bryant Jessica Stewart Nicole Williams Exploring Drug Use Amongst Police Officers and Its Implications for The Use of Excessive Force By: Anthony Bryant Jessica Stewart Nicole Williams

Introduction Research Problem Drug use among officers needs to be addressed to help those officers suffering from addiction and to keep the excessive use of force due to the their addiction to a minimum or eradicate the epidemic altogether. Research Question How does police officers drug abuse affect the use of excessive force while on duty.

Hypothesis Alternative Hypothesis Null Hypothesis Police officers who abuse drugs are more likely to use excessive force on potential suspects while on duty. Null Hypothesis Drug abuse by police officers does not affect their likelihood to use excessive force while on duty.

Literature Review Conceptualizing Relationship to Community - T h e r a c e o f t h e i n v e s t i g a t o r w a s s h o w n t o b e a s i g n i f i c a n t f a c t o r i n w h e t h e r o r n o t t h e c a s e w a s f o u n d t o b e a v a l i d o r f r a u d u l e n t c l a i m . - O u t c o m e s o f t h e s e i n v e s t i g a t i o n s w e r e h e a v i l y d e p e n d e n t o n i n d e p e n d e n t t e s t i m o n y a n d e v i d e n c e t h a t d i d n ’ t c o m e f r o m t e s t i m o n i e s Literature Review Conceptualizing Relationship to Community “High Rate” and “Low Rate” Officers Race of Decision Makers Public Health and Policy Socioeconomic Status Stereotypes and Perceptions Police and Drug Use Excessive Force

Methodology Exploratory research design will be used to investigate the relationship between police officers and drug use Longitudinal, cohort study examining newly sworn in officers in five major cities within the Southeast region of the United States by survey Survey will be conducted annually during the duration of the study

Methodology (cont.) 25 random officers per city will be selected to participate in the study Officers will be identified only by a number given to them at beginning of study to remain anonymous

Statement of Limitations C a s e s m a y n o t b e r e p o r t e d d u e t o , v i c t i m r e l u c t a n c e o r f e a r , c a s e s t h a t d o n ’ t i n v o l v e d e a t h s m a y n o t b e r e p o r t e d . O f f i c e r s c o u l d d r o p o u t d u e t o n o i n t e r n e t a c c e s s , f e a r a n d r i d i c u l e o f f e l l o w o f f i c e r s , d e a t h , o r a c h a n g e i n d e p a r t m e n t , e t c … Statement of Limitations Surveys are self-reported, introduces potential bias by the subjects There is a likelihood of selective drop-out before study is completed All cases of excessive force may not be reported Reporting fatigue experienced during longitudinal studies Possible negative image placed on police officers if data shows a high number of drug users.

Anticipated Conclusions/ Recommendations Anticipated findings supports hypothesis that police officers who abuse drugs are more likely to use excessive force on potential suspects while on duty The level of prescription drug abuse is higher than illegal drug abuse amongst officers The program will have a slow start due to fears of information disclosure

Anticipated Conclusions/ Recommendations (cont.) Recommend survey be used across the U.S. through a stratified cluster sample to make the results generalizable to the entire nation. Nationwide survey should be more diverse to include retired officers, resigned officers, and possibly terminated officers Recommend policies that mandate police officers to take a drug test when an event of excessive force occurs