RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 The Unintended Consequences of Policing Technology
JF Journal of Human Resources
JO J Hum Resour
FD University of Wisconsin Press
SP 1024-13929R2
DO 10.3368/jhr.1024-13929R2
A1 Topper, Michael
A1 Ferrazares, Toshio
YR 2026
UL http://jhr.uwpress.org/content/early/2026/07/02/jhr.1024-13929R2.abstract
AB Technology is integral to police departments, automating officer tasks, but inherently changing their time allocation. We investigate this by studying ShotSpotter, a technology that automates gunfire detection. Following a detection, officers are dispatched to the scene, thereby reallocating their time. We leverage this shock to officers’ time allocation using the rollout of ShotSpotter across Chicago police districts to study the effects on 911 response. We find consequences for calls unrelated to gunfire—officers are dispatched slower (22%), arrive on-scene later (13%), and the probability of arrest is decreased 9%. Consequently, departments must evaluate their resource capacities prior to implementing technologies.