What do Piliavin and Briar suggest influences police arrest decisions?

Piliavin and Briar's research highlights that police arrest decisions are significantly influenced by physical cues such as an individual's mannerisms, attire, and overall presentation. They argue that officers often make split-second judgments based on these visible traits, which can lead to decisions about whether to arrest someone or not. This perspective emphasizes the role of social interaction and perception in policing, suggesting that the subjective interpretations of officers can impact their behavior toward suspects.

This focus on physical cues informs understanding of the dynamics in police-community interactions and points to the importance of social factors, rather than purely objective measures like past criminal records or socioeconomic status. While those elements can play a role in the broader context of crime and justice, Piliavin and Briar primarily illustrate that the immediate, observable characteristics of individuals significantly shape the immediate decisions made by law enforcement.