Policing Gun Violence

Anthony A. Braga is the Jerry Lee Professor of Criminology and the Director of the Crime and Justice Policy Lab at the University of Pennsylvania. His research focuses on fairness and effectiveness in policing. Braga is a Fellow of the American Society of Criminology and the recipient of its August Vollmer Award recognizing outstanding contributions to the field of criminal justice. He has also received multiple awards from practitioner organizations such as the International Association of Chiefs of Police Excellence in Law Enforcement Research Award and the U.S. Attorney General's Award for Outstanding Contribution to Community Partnerships and Public Safety. Philip J. Cook is Sanford Professor Emeritus of Public Policy and Professor Emeritus of Economics at Duke University. He is one of the first scholars to undertake research on gun violence prevention. In 2020, his contributions in this area were recognized by the award of the Stockholm Prize in Criminology. Other honors includeelection to the National Academy of Medicine (2001) and as Fellow of the American Society of Criminology. He has made substantial research contributions to criminal justice policy, alcohol control policy, commercial gambling, and the causes of income inequality, as well as evaluation methods. He has consulted with several federal law enforcement agencies.

• Chapter 1. Introduction - Policing Gun ViolenceChapter 2. The Social Burden of Gun ViolenceChapter 3. Regulation and its EnforcementChapter 4. 21st Century Policing and Crime ControlChapter 5. Targeted Patrol and Problem Solving in Hot SpotsChapter 6. Retail Deterrence of Very High-Risk GroupsChapter 7. Strengthening the Investigation of ShootingsChapter 8. Reducing Shootings by the Police Chapter 9. Policing Firearms Trafficking, Theft, and Illegal DiversionChapter 10. There's Much to be Done

Braga and Cook make a compelling case for more focused, evidence-based, and accountable law enforcement to reduce gun violence and its enormous and disparate social costs. Importantly, they acknowledge harms from systemic inequities in policing and offer practical measures to reduce harmful practices while promoting collaborative problem-solving between police and impacted communities. Braga and Cook provide an incredibly comprehensive set of strategies that police can use to reduce gun violence, including shootings by police, and to be more responsive to what communities want and need from the police. This book is a must-read for any law enforcement leader committed to reducing gun violence in the communities they serve.