Publications

• "Monitoring Police with Body-Worn Cameras: Evidence from Chicago." 2024, Journal of Urban Economics
  

  Abstract. Using data from the Chicago Police Department on complaints filed by civilians and reports of force by officers, this paper estimates the effect of body-worn cameras (BWCs) of officer and civilian behavior. Using a two-way fixed effects design, I find BWCs are associated with a 33% reduction in use-of-force complaints, driven by white officer-black civilian complaints. Additionally, I find a 42% reduction in officers reporting striking civilians and a large though less significant reduction in officer firearm usage, potential mechanisms for the reduction in complaints. Importantly, I find no change in officer injury or force from civilians. However, I find evidence of de-policing as officers make fewer drug-related arrests following BWC adoption.

Working Papers

• "Have U.S. Gun Buyback Programs Misfired?" with Joseph J. Sabia and D. Mark Anderson Under Review, NBER WP w28763
  

  Abstract. Gun buyback programs (GBPs), which use public funds to purchase civilians' privately-owned firearms, aim to reduce gun violence. However, next to nothing is known about their effects on firearm-related crime or deaths. Using data from the National Incident Based Reporting System, we find no evidence that GBPs reduce gun crime. Given our estimated null findings, with 95 percent confidence, we can rule out decreases in firearm-related crime of greater than 1.3 percent during the year following a buyback. Using data from the National Vital Statistics System, we also find no evidence that GBPs reduce suicides or homicides where a firearm was involved. These results call into question the efficacy of city gun buyback programs in their current form.

• "The Effect of ShotSpotter Technology on Police Response Times", with Michael Topper
  

  Abstract. ShotSpotter is an acoustic gunfire detection technology utilized by police departments in over 150 cities with the intention of rapidly dispatching police officers to violent crime scenes to catch perpetrators and reduce gun violence. Despite its prevalence, little is known about its effectiveness in reducing gun violence (intended consequence) nor its effect on 911 emergency response times (unintended consequence) given its resource-intensive operating procedures. In this paper, we utilize variation in timing from ShotSpotter roll-outs across Chicago police districts from 2016-2022 to estimate the causal effects of ShotSpotter on 911 emergency response times that are designated as Priority 1 (immediate dispatch). Using comprehensive 911 dispatch data from the Chicago Police Department, we find that ShotSpotter leads police officers to be dispatched one-minute slower (23% increase) and arrive on-scene two-minutes later (14% increase) while controlling for the police officer availability and overall 911 call quantities. Moreover, these effects are driven by resource-constrained periods, and consequently, reduce police officers' success rate in arresting perpetrators (12%) when responding to emergency calls. However, we also find that ShotSpotter increases the number of gun-related arrests, thereby indicating success in achieving its primary goal, albeit at a significant cost.

Works In Progress

• "Shift Structure and Cognitive Depletion: Evidence from Police Officers". Draft soon.

• “Drinking Water Contaminants and Infant Health”, with Katie Grooms, Heather Royer, and Kevin Schnepel.