The Introduction of Tasers and Police Use of Force: Evidence from the Chicago Police Department

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The Introduction of Tasers and Police Use of Force: Evidence from the Chicago Police Department

Category: Firearm Policies|Journal: AEA Papers and Proceedings, American Economic Association|Author: B Bocar, J Grogger|Year: 2018

Many police jurisdictions have recently expanded their Taser arsenals with a goal of reducing officer-involved shootings. We analyze substitution between Tasers and firearms by means of an event study made possible by a policy change at the Chicago Police Department. Before March 2010, only sergeants and field training officers had access to Tasers; after that date, they were made available to patrol officers. We find that the change in Taser policy led to a large increase in Taser use, but not to a decrease in the use of firearms.

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