The purpose of the present studies was to examine how officer characteristics influenced mock jurors’ judgments in a police use of force case. In study 1 ( N = 356), we examined officer race, suspect race, and weapon type (gun vs. taser vs. assault gloves), and in study 2 ( N = 352) we examined officer gender, weapon type, and whether the officer was on or off duty. In both studies, participants read a case summary concerning police use of force where the suspect/victim died from his injuries. In study 1, mock jurors were more likely to vote guilty when the officer was White as well as when a gun was used. The officer was perceived most favorably when he was Black and a taser or assault gloves were used compared to a gun. Mock jurors’ attitudes toward the police also were examined and were found to be related to mock jurors’ guilt ratings and perceptions of the officer. In study 2, mock jurors were more likely to vote guilty for the defendant when the officer was male, off duty, and the weapon used was a gun. Mock jurors also viewed the police officer more negatively when he was off duty as well as when a gun was used. Overall, this study is the first to our knowledge to systematically vary both officer characteristics and suspect/victim characteristics and the results suggest that both have the capacity to influence how use of force cases are perceived by potential jurors.

中文翻译：

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枪支，手套和枪手：警官的感知及其作为种族和性别的功能对武器的使用

本研究的目的是研究在警察使用武力案件中，军官的特征如何影响模拟陪审员的判断。在研究1（N = 356）中，我们检查了军官种族，可疑种族和武器类型（枪支，泰瑟枪和突击手套），在研究2（N = 352）中，我们研究了军官的性别，武器类型以及是否该人员上班或下班。在两项研究中，参与者都阅读了有关警察使用武力的案例摘要，其中嫌疑人/受害人因受伤而死亡。在研究1中，当警官为白人以及使用枪支时，模拟陪审员更有可能投票认罪。当他是布莱克（Black）时，与使用枪相比，使用了泰瑟枪或突击手套时，军官被认为是最有利的。还检查了模拟陪审员对警察的态度，发现它们与模拟陪审员的内ratings等级和对警察的看法有关。在研究2中，当警官是男性，下班时使用的武器是枪支时，模拟陪审员更有可能为被告投票有罪。模拟陪审员还对警察在下班以及使用枪支时的看法更为负面。总体而言，这项研究是我们所知的第一个系统地改变军官特征和嫌疑人/受害者特征的研究，结果表明两者都有能力影响潜在陪审员对使用武力案件的看法。模拟陪审员还对警察在下班以及使用枪支时的看法更为负面。总体而言，这项研究是我们所知的第一个系统地改变军官特征和嫌疑人/受害者特征的研究，结果表明两者都有能力影响潜在陪审员对使用武力案件的看法。模拟陪审团还对警察在下班以及使用枪支时的看法更为负面。总体而言，这项研究是我们所知的第一个系统地改变军官特征和嫌疑人/受害者特征的研究，结果表明两者都有能力影响潜在陪审员对使用武力案件的看法。