The Rodney King incident and verdict revisited: Examining opinion-mobilizing effects using data from Southern California in 1991 and 1992

This study examines the impact of the Rodney King incident and verdict on public confidence in local police using a quasi-experimental approach. Analyzing survey data from Southern California and Los Angeles in 1991-1992, the findings reveal a significant decline in confidence after both events. However, the incident’s impact varied only modestly by ethnicity and not by political orientation, while the verdict showed limited variation by political orientation and none by ethnicity. Additionally, the evidence for a causal effect of the verdict is weaker, with pre-existing negative trends suggesting its limited role in shaping public opinion, contributing to the broader understanding of police-citizen relations.

Journal Article