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State-by-State Review: The Spread of Law Enforcement Accountability Policies

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  • Hossein Zare

    (Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
    The School of Business, University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC), Adelphi, MD 20783, USA)

  • Danielle R. Gilmore

    (Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA)

  • Khushbu Balsara

    (Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA)

  • Celina Renee Pargas

    (Mathematica, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA)

  • Rebecca Valek

    (Oregon Health & Science University Gun Violence Prevention Research Center, OHSU-PSU School of Public Health, Portland, OR 97201, USA)

  • Andrea N. Ponce

    (Department of Health, Behavior, and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA)

  • Niloufar Masoudi

    (Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA)

  • Michelle Spencer

    (Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA)

  • Tatiana Y. Warren

    (Hopkins Center for Health Disparities Solutions, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA)

  • Cassandra Crifasi

    (Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA)

Abstract

Purpose: Following George Floyd’s death, the push for law enforcement accountability policies has intensified. Despite robust legislative action, challenges in enacting and implementing meaningful reforms persist. This study analyzes police accountability policies (PAP) in the U.S. from 2020 to 2022, identifying barriers and facilitators through expert perspectives in enforcement oversight, policy advocacy, and community engagement. Methods: The study used a dual approach: analyzing 226 police accountability bills from all 50 U.S. states, D.C., and Puerto Rico via the National Conference of State Legislatures database, and categorizing them into six key areas such as training, technology use, and certification. Additionally, a survey was conducted among experts to identify the challenges and drivers in passing police accountability legislation. Findings: A legislative analysis showed that although 35 states passed police accountability laws, California, New Jersey, Oklahoma, and Colorado have made significant strides by passing multiple pieces of legislation aimed at enhancing law enforcement accountability and ensuring better policing practices. The most common policies focused on training and technology, enacted by 16 and 12 states, respectively. However, crucial certification and decertification policies were adopted in just 13 states, highlighting the inconsistent implementation of measures critical for police accountability and transparency. The survey identified several barriers to passing PAP, including inadequate support from local governments (72.7%). Structural exclusion of poor and minority communities from policing resources was also a significant barrier (54.5%). Facilitators included community support (81.8%) and a cultural shift in policing towards viewing officers as “guardians” rather than “warriors” (63.6%). Conclusions: While some progress has been made in passing PAP, considerable gaps remain, particularly in enforcement and comprehensive reform. Resistance from law enforcement institutions, lack of community support, and structural inequalities continue to impede the adoption of effective PAP.

Suggested Citation

  • Hossein Zare & Danielle R. Gilmore & Khushbu Balsara & Celina Renee Pargas & Rebecca Valek & Andrea N. Ponce & Niloufar Masoudi & Michelle Spencer & Tatiana Y. Warren & Cassandra Crifasi, 2025. "State-by-State Review: The Spread of Law Enforcement Accountability Policies," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-24, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jscscx:v:14:y:2025:i:8:p:483-:d:1718142
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Fridell, Lorie & Lim, Hyeyoung, 2016. "Assessing the racial aspects of police force using the implicit- and counter-bias perspectives," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 44(C), pages 36-48.
    2. Amanda Geller & Jeffrey Fagan, 2010. "Pot as Pretext: Marijuana, Race, and the New Disorder in New York City Street Policing," Journal of Empirical Legal Studies, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 7(4), pages 591-633, December.
    3. Roland G. Fryer Jr., 2019. "An Empirical Analysis of Racial Differences in Police Use of Force," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 127(3), pages 1210-1261.
    4. Zare, Hossein & Gilmore, Danielle & Assari, Shervin & Spencer, Michelle & Thorpe, Roland Jr & Gaskin, Darrell, 2025. "Exploring the association between income inequality, racial composition, and fatal police shootings in U.S. counties (2015–2022)," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 96(C).
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