From the Officer’’s Perspective: A Multilevel Examination of Citizens’’ Demeanor during Traffic Stops

This article may be used for research, teaching and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, redistribution , reselling , loan, sub-licensing, systematic supply or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. The publisher does not give any warranty express or implied or make any representation that the contents will be complete or accurate or up to date. The accuracy of any instructions, formulae and drug doses should be independently verified with primary sources. The publisher shall not be liable for any loss, actions, claims, proceedings, demand or costs or damages whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with or arising out of the use of this material. Over the past 60 years, a substantial body of research has considered the influence of citizens' demeanor on police behavior; and more recently, the correlates of citizens' demeanor. This study advances our understanding of the demeanor construct by measuring officers' perceptions of citizens' disrespect, non-compliance, and resistance during traffic stops. Using multilevel statistical models, we examine the correlates of citizens' demeanor and assess the racial differences in these perceptions. The findings demonstrate that officers' percep-research includes empirical assessments of police behavior, police/minority relations, police supervision and management, criminal justice policies, criminal gangs, and violence reduction strategies. Her previous research has been published in Criminology, Justice Quarterly, Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, Journal of Criminal Justice, and Criminology and Public Policy. Her most recent work is focused on crime prevention, homicide reduction, and developing police–academic partnerships. Rob Tillyer, Ph.D., is an assistant professor of criminal justice at the University of Texas, San Antonio. His research interests include decision-making within the criminal justice system, crime prevention, and victimology. His recent journal articles have appeared in Justice Quarterly, Journal of Criminal Justice, and Policing. He is currently working on a BJA-funded grant to train students as crime and intelligence analysts while concurrently addressing local crime problems with evidence-based approaches. Charles F. Klahm IV is an assistant professor of criminal justice at Wayne State University. His research interests include understanding police behavior, especially their use of force, the use of evolving technology in policing, as well as how technology influences crime prevention initiatives. Recent journal articles have appeared in Police Quarterly and the Southwest Journal of Criminal Justice. James Frank is a professor of criminal justice at the University of Cincinnati. He received his J.D. from Ohio Northern …