How missing data makes it harder to measure racial bias in policing

ID’ing when officers didn’t use force against civilians is critical to quantifying bias

close-up image of a Los Angeles police officer wearing a body cam on their uniform

Using footage from officer-worn body cameras, such as the one shown here, researchers are analyzing entire interactions between officers and civilians. The researchers hope to identify moments when officers averted an action, such as arresting or harming a civilian.

David McNew/Getty Images Plus

From 2012 to 2015, a team of researchers collected 2.9