As Black communities across the country prepare to honor Michael Brown, the teenager who was publicly executed 10 years ago tomorrow by former Ferguson, Missouri, police officer, Darren Wilson, a recently published study by Georgia State University and fellow scholars found that police unions, which bring job protection and increased salaries, generally reduce the incidence of cop killings.

Higher rates of pay suggest better educated and more professional people joining the force and better job satisfaction. But generally is the key word here because specifically, that finding was only applicable to white communities.

For Black communities where police were unionized, fatal cop killings rose.

From the study:

“Higher salaries can attract more professional officers who avoid reckless behaviors… not necessarily out of compassion but to keep their jobs.

Strong job protections from collective bargaining, however, can make some officers less worried about consequences. This might explain why better pay didn’t benefit Black people encountering unionized police forces.

Union agreements often include rules that delay questioning officers after incidents or let disciplinary records be hidden or erased. Even after being terminated, problem officers are often rehired through arbitration.”

Unions are good. Until they’re not.

The pioneering study analyzed data from around 282 U.S. city police departments. Of these departments, roughly 74% allowed collective bargaining, a process where employers and employee groups negotiate salaries, working conditions, benefits, and other aspects of compensation and rights.

Researchers believe that unionized police forces, with their established cultures, may be resistant to change and less accountable due to reduced fears of disciplinary actions or job loss. In contrast, officers in non-unionized departments may be more vigilant due to the threat of losing their high pay.

Source: Unions Reduce Fatal Police Shootings In White Communities. For Black Communities They Increase Them.