What does this research mean for the field?

Female and Black police officers face a higher likelihood of disciplinary action than White male officers, but this disparity is entirely mediated by a greater likelihood that complaints against them are deemed sufficiently supported by evidence. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To determine whether police disciplinary actions are applied equitably across demographic groups and whether complaint disposition mediates observed disparities.

August 28, 2026The American Review of Public Administration

Disparity in Police Disciplinary Outcomes: The Mediating Effect of Complaint Disposition for Organizational Outgroups

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To determine whether police disciplinary actions are applied equitably across demographic groups and whether complaint disposition mediates observed disparities.
Retrospective analysis of over 249,000 allegations recorded by Chicago's Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) from 1971 through 2018.
Assessed disciplinary outcomes—specifically reprimands and suspensions—for Black, Hispanic, and female officers relative to White male officers, testing for mediation by complaint substantiation.
Female and Black officers faced a higher likelihood of formal reprimand and suspension compared to White male officers.
Observed racial and gender disparities in reprimands and suspensions were fully explained by the higher likelihood that complaints against these officers were sustained as supported by evidence.

Authors

JNJill Nicholson‐CrottyUniversity of Arizona CHCourtney HahmIndiana University SNSean Nicholson‐CrottyIndiana University Bloomington

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Implication

Retrospective analysis uncovers higher disciplinary rates for Black and female police officers, indicating systemic bias in complaint substantiation.

Cite This Study

Nicholson‐Crotty et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a916ea0d15324a1df3aa72c https://doi.org/10.1177/02750740261478910

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Implication

Retrospective analysis uncovers higher disciplinary rates for Black and female police officers, indicating systemic bias in complaint substantiation.

Disparity in Police Disciplinary Outcomes: The Mediating Effect of Complaint Disposition for Organizational Outgroups

Key Points

Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

Disparity in Police Disciplinary Outcomes: The Mediating Effect of Complaint Disposition for Organizational Outgroups

Key Points

Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

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