Replication Data For: The Role of Perceived Policy Success in the Diffusion of Criminal Policing Policy Innovations

Traditional studies of policy diffusion amongst states are deficient because they do not consider the possibility that states adopt the policies of those that appear to experience desired policy outcomes. The predominant belief is that policy emulation occurs because decision makers defer to other states possessing certain similarities with their state. This shorthand policy learning does not require observation of policy outcomes. Nonetheless, the results of this paper suggest that states are more likely to adopt policing policies of other states if they are perceived to be successful in reducing the number of violent crimes performed compared to years past.