Further exploration of the demeanor hypothesis: The interaction effects of suspects' characteristics and demeanor on police behavior

Recent research has reexamined the hypothesis that suspects' demeanor affects police behavior. Reanalyses have supported this demeanor hypothesis, but none have considered the possible interaction effect of demeanor with other extralegal variables. Utilizing systematic observational data collected in 24 police departments in three metropolitan areas, this research examines whether demeanor and suspects' characteristics interact, and ultimately produce differential patterns of citation, arrest, and the use of force. These estimated interaction effects provide a clearer understanding of the effect of demeanor in different contexts; more important, they acknowledge that officers accept some forms of disrespect but not others, depending on factors outside demeanor alone.