Framing Effects in Officer Use-of- Force Decision Making

Abstract

Framing research demonstrates that making simple changes to the description of a task or task strategy can affect behaviour in a number of contexts (Almashat, Ayotte, Edelstein, & Margrett, 2008), but to my knowledge they have not been examined in a law enforcement setting. The present research examines officer decision-making processes during an emergency situation by investigating the influence of framing effects on the use of force. An interactive video-based use-of-force simulation scenario represented the emergency situation and participants were presented with one of three preceding framing manipulations. The experimental conditions emphasized either upholding public safety (i.e., avoiding unnecessary/excessive force) or officer safety (i.e., avoiding personal injury) and a third condition (i.e., control) included only a scenario description. Subsequently, participants were queried about their perceptions of risk regarding the scenario and their self-reported officer and civilian relationships. These results indicate that framing effects influence decisions relating to Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) spray (i.e., pepper spray) usage and the participants’ perceptions of suspect risk. Positive officer relationships were also found to predict early firearm and OC spray deployment. This research has important implications for the language used when training law enforcement officers and briefing officers during emergency calls. If minor variations in wording can bias officers to use more or less force, this may have important implications for law enforcement practices. This research also has important implications regarding officer relationships with fellow officers and civilians. It may be important to manage officer relationships within the workplace as well as in the community to reduce any potential, negative impact on operational duties.