Citation

Gau JM, Mosher CJ, Pratt TC. Police Q. 2010; 13(1): 27-48.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1098611109357332

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The academic literature has yet to fully examine one of the newer implements in police officers’ repertoire of less-than-lethal weapons: The Taser. There is a lack of information regarding the circumstances under which police are more or less likely to use this device and, in particular, there is limited information as to potential racial discrepancies. The present study tests for a relationship between suspects’ race and police officers’ use of Tasers. The findings suggest the presence of a moderate relationship, with Hispanic suspects being twice as likely as Whites to have Tasers used against them. Hispanic ethnicity, although not the primary determinant of Taser use, proved to increase the likelihood that a suspect would be subdued with a Taser. This finding has implications for police policy and for future research.