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Purpose This study examines how organizational characteristics and community contexts jointly shape police officer victimization, extending research that has focused mainly on individual encounters. Guided by routine activity theory (RAT) and social disorganization theory (SDT), it considers both institutional capacity and broader environmental conditions. Design/methodology/approach Data from 205 Texas municipal police departments are analyzed by integrating LEMAS (2016 and 2020), NIBRS (2023) and ACS (2020) indicators. Zero inflated negative binomial models with multiple imputations address excess zeros and missing data. Findings Larger agencies and those operating in high risk enforcement environments experience higher levels of officer victimization. Greater patrol car camera coverage and indicators of organizational adjustment correspond with reduced victimization. Community factors, particularly racial and ethnic diversity and concentrated poverty, are positively associated with officer victimization. Originality/value By integrating organizational and community determinants within one framework, the study demonstrates that officer victimization reflects situational exposure, institutional capacity and broader social environments.
Kim et al. (2026) studied this question.