Cops more hesitant to shoot armed black suspects than whites
Cops are more hesitant to shoot armed black suspects than whites, study finds
When confronted with an armed white suspect, participants took an average of 1.37 seconds to pull the trigger
But, they took 1.61 seconds to open fire on armed black suspects - and were less likely to shoot unarmed targets
Researchers believe reaction delay is because shooters fear consequences from killing a black suspect more than shooting a white
Study from Washington State University-Spokane used new, realistic simulations that were shown on a life-size video screen
Realistic: A study that put participants in a simulator and had them shoot at armed suspects found that they were more hesitant to pull the trigger on blacks than on whites
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Participants in a new study of the use of police deadly force were more willing pull the trigger on armed white suspects than on blacks, researchers have found.
The surprising results challenge previous findings about racial bias - and, one the researchers says, helps combat the stereotype that cops are more eager to open fire on black suspects.
The authors of the study say the reaction delay is because officers fear that there will be greater repercussions from shooting a black suspect than a white one.
The study, conducted at Washington State University-Spokane's Sleep and Performance Research Center, used a realistic simulator that showed video images of black, white and Hispanic suspects - both armed and unarmed. Participants were given a real Glock pistol equipped with a laser and told to shoot armed attackers.
The study tested more than 30 cops, as well as 60 civilians and a half-dozen members of the military. About 85percent of the study participants were white.
The study armed participants with a real Glock pistol that fired lasers instead of bullets - and measured the reaction times and accuracy
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When confronted with an armed white suspect, participants took an average of 1.37 seconds to pull the trigger. But, they took 1.61 seconds to open fire on armed black suspects - and were less likely to shoot unarmed targets.
That split-second pause could be deadly in a real life situation, researchers say.
Moreover, the study also monitored physiological responses to the shooting scenarios and found that shooters paused - despite participants perceiving the black suspects as being a bigger threat than the white suspects.
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Dr James conceded that it is possible that the participants in the study knew that they were being watched by researchers and delayed opening fire on black suspects as a result.
However, she says researchers worked to minimize that bias. The study was initially designed to test how fatigue, experience and other factors impact in decision-making in deadly force scenarios and so race was never mentioned with participants before they went through the course.
Additionally - Dr James says - the simulator offers realistic scenarios that show life-size videos of police traffic stops and other incidents. The set-up means that most participants have very real physiological and psychological reactions to what's unfolding in front of them, she says.
Previous studies that showed a people had a bias toward using force against black suspects used much less immersive techniques - having participants sit in front of a computer screen and push a 'shoot' or 'don't shoot' button in response to pictures of armed suspects.
This is definitely a legitimate study, but its claims are undermined by its very small sample size and the potential that the participants did it on purpose.
However, I do believe that cops' attitudes towards blacks are exaggerated. Contrary to protesters, racial bias on the part of the police is not a nationwide issue. In safe, liberal neighborhoods like mine, I would argue that the police have much less racial bias than in the Southeast.
Thats bc they had cameras on em and didn't wanna appear racist.
Exactly. If nothing else, this study just shows that cops are aware of the current issue regarding merciless and prejudice shooting. 30 cops isn't a whole lot to base off of, either. Not when there are hundreds of them scattered around the US, all armed and apparently not afraid to shoot.
That is a DAMN LIE. its not only black people. its Mexican or any person of color. They treat us like s*** and sure as hell don't hesitate to pull the trigger.
Real life statistics say the opposite.
