When plainclothes policing was banned: Was the effect symbolic or instrumental?

Purpose In the wake of the Floyd protests, New York City implemented a ban on plainclothes policing that was previously involved in unlawful pedestrian stops. The study examines the policy's effects on stop patterns and subsequent outcomes. Design/methodology/approach Using a regression discontinuity in time (RDiT) framework, the study conducts interrupted time series analyses on weekly data from 2017 through 2023 with ARIMA-GARCH error specifications. Findings The results show (1) declines in overall stops by plainclothes and uniformed officers; (2) decreases in stops across all racial groups; and (3) increased hit rates for firearms and contraband. Overall, all effects except for firearm recoveries were short-lived, reflecting symbolic compliance and increased reliance on uniformed policing. Originality/value This study is timely and important, given the serious concerns in NYC regarding unlawful stops. It also contributes to the literature by discussing policy and research implications from an institutional theoretical perspective.