Research Symposium

BIO

My name is Mariafe Concha and I'm a third-year Criminology major from Miami, Florida. Being a part of this research project has highlighted the complexities of law enforcement data and the importance of accurate legal frameworks, which has further fueled my passion for pursuing a career as a lawyer, with the intent to help those who are often marginalized or disadvantaged. I believe that studying the legal systems that protect both individuals and law enforcement will enable me to create meaningful change. Whether it’s defending human rights, ensuring fair treatment, or working to reform criminal justice policies, my passion is rooted in helping people and contributing to an equal, more just society. I am actively involved in Phi Alpha Delta Pre- Law Fraternity, the Peruvian Student Association, and the FSU Swim Club, all of which I am passionate about and deeply enjoy, as they allow me to connect with like minded individuals, explore my interests, and contribute to the community.

Understanding Assaults on the Police: A Systematic Review on the Strength, Limitations, and Future of National Data Sources for Empirical Research

Abstract

Assaults on the police represent a pressing public policy issue, especially as law enforcement faces challenges in recruitment and retention due to the unique occupational dangers associated with policing. A growing body of empirical research has sought to understand the prevalence, risk factors, and consequences of these incidents; however, its development is complicated by the limitations of national data sources on police assaults. The aim of this systematic literature review is threefold: (1) assess the prevalence of each national data source on police assaults, (2) synthesize the limitations of these data sources as detailed in prior research, and (3) describe the unique feature of each data source that can facilitate future research. To this end, searches of literature published from January 1960 to September 2024 were performed using a combination of search strategies, such as electronic database searches, reference searches, and forward citation searches. Studies will be screened against a set of inclusion criteria and coded to address the study’s three key research questions. It is anticipated that the results of this study will highlight the key strengths and limitations of current national data on this crucial public policy issue. Further, it will illuminate opportunities to improve the state of police assault data and facilitate translational policing research.

Keywords: Assaults, Police, Systematic Review