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Evidence of Donor Bias in Chicago Police Stops

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Listed:
  • Angela Zorro Medina
  • David Hackett
  • Devin Green
  • Robert Vargas

Abstract

This study provides the first empirical evidence that private donations to police departments can influence officer behavior. Drawing on the psychology of reciprocity bias, we theorize that public donations create social debts that shape discretionary enforcement. Using quasi-experimental data from Chicago, we find that after 7-Eleven sponsored a police foundation gala, investigatory stops, particularly of Black pedestrians, increased around its stores. These findings reveal a racialized pattern of donor bias in policing and call into question the consequences of private donations to public law enforcement.

Suggested Citation

  • Angela Zorro Medina & David Hackett & Devin Green & Robert Vargas, 2025. "Evidence of Donor Bias in Chicago Police Stops," Papers 2504.15140, arXiv.org.
    • Handle: RePEc:arx:papers:2504.15140
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ernst Fehr & Simon Gächter, 2000. "Fairness and Retaliation: The Economics of Reciprocity," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 14(3), pages 159-181, Summer.
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