Document Type

Dissertation

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy

Major

Political Science

Date of Defense

4-19-2022

Graduate Advisor

Todd Swanstrom

Committee

David Kimball

Terry Jones

Tammy Kochel

Abstract

This research examines the change in police practices after the death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, in 2014. Immediately after his death and throughout the following years, police departments in St. Louis County faced immense pressure to change. The pressure originated from numerous fronts, including the media, local community groups, and politicians. This research evaluates the change in policing using institutional theory with data from surveys and interviews of police chiefs. The findings indicate changes in policies after 2014. The most significant change occurred in departments strongly influenced by the mimetic dimension of institutional theory. The research adds to the literature by demonstrating the use of institutional theory to predict organizational change.

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