Research Symposium

BIO

Kate is an Honors Scholar and an Honors Legal Scholar at Florida State University, in Tallahassee, Florida, majoring in Political Science, on a Pre-Law track. She is minoring in Spanish, to become bilingual. Kate served as a Legislative Intern in the Florida House of Representatives during the 2022 legislative session and spent three summers interning for a Palm Beach County Commissioner.

Kate is a servant-leader in the university community and other communities. She currently serves as the Community Engagement Director for “The Big Event Tallahassee,” one of the nation’s largest student-run community service projects. She also regularly volunteers at Tallahassee schools and nonprofits through Engage TLH, a university group.

Kate is the current Social Chair for the FSU Women in Pre-Law Society (WIPS) and is a member of Noles Engaged Politics ("NEP"), Phi Alpha Delta (Pre-Law Fraternity). Kate is also a proficient violinist and played for a semester in the Florida State University Orchestra Sinfonia.

Kate is a native of Palm Beach County, Florida, and attended Alexander W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts, Class of 2022. As a high-schooler, she gave 321 verified hours of community service. Community service is an essential part of her life.

Investigating Minority Representation in Florida Sheriff's Offices

Abstract

Since the tragic death of George Floyd in 2020, the criminal justice system has come under increased scrutiny, prompting a reevaluation of law enforcement practices and their implications for social equity. Central to this discourse is sheriff's offices, which play a pivotal role in upholding public safety and administering justice at the county level. This research project examines the racial composition of Florida Sheriff's offices and investigates the correlation between their demographic makeup and the arrest rates for Black individuals, utilizing 2020 Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) data by county. By analyzing the racial demographics of Florida Sheriff’s Departments alongside county arrest rates, the aim is to shed light on potential disparities in policing practices and outcomes. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for addressing systemic biases and promoting equitable law enforcement practices. To conduct this analysis, data from the Florida Sheriff's Association was utilized to examine the racial makeup of sheriffs across the state. Additionally, data from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement from 2020 was used to investigate the percentage of Black arrestees in each Florida county. These datasets serve as foundational components for exploring the relationship between law enforcement demographics and arrest rates, shedding light on potential disparities and informing efforts to foster fair and just policing practices, such as racial bias training.

Keywords: honors legal scholars; deviney; public administration; legal; arrest