Harvard Professor's Study on Police Shootings Sparks Outrage, Requires Police Protection

Roland Fryer's research finding no racial bias in police shootings led to intense backlash, including threats that necessitated armed security.

In 2016, Harvard Economics Professor Roland Fryer published a study showing no racial bias in police shootings, contradicting widespread expectations.
The study's publication resulted in severe backlash, with Fryer receiving threats and requiring police protection for himself and his family.
Fryer's research examined thousands of officer-involved shootings and found that minorities were less likely to be shot at by police compared to whites.
Despite the backlash, Fryer stood by his findings, which were confirmed by additional research conducted with eight new assistants.
The controversy surrounding the study highlights the intense debate over racial bias in policing and the challenges faced by researchers presenting unexpected results.