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Police agencies on Facebook overreport on Black suspects

Author

Listed:
  • Ben Grunwald

    (a Duke University School of Law, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708;)

  • Julian Nyarko

    (b Stanford Law School, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305;)

  • John Rappaport

    (c University of Chicago Law School, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637)

Abstract

By analyzing all Facebook posts from pages maintained by US law enforcement agencies, we show that Facebook users are exposed to posts about serious crimes that significantly overrepresent Black suspects relative to local arrest rates. Our results point to one mechanism by which the state itself may reinforce racial stereotypes about crime. Prior research shows that these stereotypes, in turn, may heighten demand for the state’s penal services.

Suggested Citation

  • Ben Grunwald & Julian Nyarko & John Rappaport, 2022. "Police agencies on Facebook overreport on Black suspects," Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, vol. 119(45), pages 2203089119-, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:nas:journl:v:119:y:2022:p:e2203089119
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    Keywords

    police; race; social media;
    All these keywords.

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