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Collective Bargaining Rights, Policing, and Civilian Deaths

Author

Listed:
  • Jamein P. Cunningham
  • Rob Gillezeau

Abstract

Using an event-study design, we examine whether states' introduction of duty-to-bargain requirements for police unions led to meaningful changes in civilians killed by law enforcement. We find that the introduction of collective bargaining rights significantly increases the number of civilians killed by police, particularly among non-White civilians, while having limited effects on officer safety. Our results indicate that the adoption of bargaining rights for law enforcement can explain 14 percent of all non-White civilian deaths by legal intervention between 1959 and 1988. Given our findings, the idea that police unions exacerbate violence is empirically grounded.

Suggested Citation

  • Jamein P. Cunningham & Rob Gillezeau, 2026. "Collective Bargaining Rights, Policing, and Civilian Deaths," American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, American Economic Association, vol. 18(3), pages 197-234, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:aejpol:v:18:y:2026:i:3:p:197-234
    DOI: 10.1257/pol.20230384
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J51 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor-Management Relations, Trade Unions, and Collective Bargaining - - - Trade Unions: Objectives, Structure, and Effects
    • J52 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor-Management Relations, Trade Unions, and Collective Bargaining - - - Dispute Resolution: Strikes, Arbitration, and Mediation
    • K42 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - Illegal Behavior and the Enforcement of Law

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