The effect on modern law enforcement from the use and advancements of intermediate weapons. The Impact of Less-Lethal Weapons and Tactics Paul Howe Columbia Southern University Police and Community Relations BCJ-4101-11G-5A11-SA1 Colleen Davis June 01, 2011 The Impact of Less-Lethal Weapons and Tactics The use of less-lethal force in law enforcement is not a new concept; the forms of less-lethal force have evolved with time though. From back in the early days of policing with wooden clubs to current day carrying high tech conducted energy devices (CED) commonly referred to as Tasers.
A professor of criminology at University of South Carolina, Geoffrey P. Alpert recently concluded an NIJ- funded study of injuries to officers and civilians during use-of-force events. The study looks at injury rates of both civilian and officers incurred during use of force events. Civilians ranged from 17 to 64 percent while officers were 10 to 20 percent (Bulman, 2011).
The question is asked if new technology can reduce the percentage of injuries. It is stated that advances in technology such as chemical agents and Tasers offer more effective control over resistive subjects.
There are over 11,000 law enforcement agencies that are currently using CEDs, but not without controversy with objections being expressed from groups such as Amnesty International and the ACLU. These groups make the claim that the use of CEDs contribute to in custody deaths (Bulman, 2011).
The study includes in depth analysis of from three specific law enforcement agencies, the Richland County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD), the Miami-Dade Police Department (MDPD), and the Seattle Police Department (SPD).
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RCSD showed in their reports that there was no correlation between using Tasers and a reduction in injuries to suspect or officers. The MDPD reported a reduction in the likelihood of injuries to suspect and officer alike. While SPD reported a reduction of 48 percent in the odds of suspect injury but showed no significant change in the number of officer injuries. In a combined analysis of the agencies it shows a reduction of suspect injury by 65 and 70 percent with the use of chemical agents and CEDs respectively.
In more depth a longitudinal analysis from police departments in Austin, Texas and Orlando, Florida, both before and after the use of CEDs indicates a large drop in suspect and officer injuries alike after the deployment of Tasers. The article touches on the need for revised policies, officer training and future research. It is stated that if injury reduction is the primary goal then the use of chemical agents and CEDs both help prevent or minimize physical struggles that are likely to cause injuries to suspects and officers alike.
RCSD deputies, most of whom carry CEDs, reported fewer injuries than their counterparts in Columbia (S. C. ) Police Department (CPD) officers, who do not carry CEDs (9 percent and 31 percent respectively).
Some of the injuries to CPD officers may have been prevented if they had access to CEDs to use instead of hands on tactics. The article cites that although chemical agents and CEDs both cause pain current medical research shows that death or serious physical harm associated with their use is very rare.
Thus both are safe and effective tools for reducing injuries to both officers and to suspects. It shows to reason that due to the simplicity and ease of use that CEDs are rapidly overtaking some other force alternatives. For these same reasons the concerns of overuse arise. Since CEDs can be used inappropriately it is strongly suggested that administrators manage this problem by instituting policies, training, and monitoring and accountability systems that provide clear direction to officers of when and when not to use Tasers.
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Officers need to be trained to evaluate age, size, sex, apparent physical capabilities and health concerns of a suspect when time and circumstances permit. Training should also prohibit the use of CEDs in the presence of flammable liquids and if falling would pose an unreasonable risk to suspects. In the area of future research it should be studied on whether or not officers become too reliant on the CEDs. Another research project would be the study of in-custody deaths involving the use of CEDs matched with a sample of in-custody deaths without the use of CEDs (Bulman, 2011).
I think the article makes a good argument for the use less-lethal alternatives, while showing both the positives of their use and the caution that must be exercised. I think it could have made mention to some of the other alternatives like pepper-ball launchers and less-lethal munitions like rubber bullets and bean bag rounds.
