Should We Talk?: Examining Individual and Aggregate Level Predictors of Mediation Selection at the New York City Civilian Complaint Review Board

Currently, there are few studies that examine mediation programs within civilian complaint review boards. Research that analyzes these programs mainly focus on the degree of citizen satisfaction. This study adds to existing research by examining possible individual and aggregate-level characteristics linked to mediation selection. Specifically, this study considers the long standing tensions shared between the police and certain groups (e.g. minorities, youths, and residents of disadvantaged communities), and attempts to uncover which groups are more or less likely to meet with officers to resolve police complaints. The data (obtained by the CCRB and US Census 2010) allows for the analysis of complainant demographic characteristics, neighborhood characteristics linked to the complainants, and characteristics of the subject officers. Bivariate and multi-variate analysis uncovered group differences in mediation selection. Particularly, the results of the study demonstrate that minorities and persons who reside in disadvantage communities are more likely to select mediation. Furthermore, the study also shows that younger African-Americans and persons who filed complaints against white officers are less likely to mediate. This study uses several theoretical perspectives (integrated threat theory, social disorganization theory, and catharsis theory) to support the findings