Chapter 12: Force
Identify the number of police officers annually injured in the line of duty and what is known about the circumstances of these injuries
According to government data, of the 50,000 assaults, approximately 15,000 officers are injured. In addition, there is evidence that many of the line of duty injuries that occurred or more mundane such as sprains and contusions from accidents, especially motor vehicle accidents
Detail the number of deadly force encounters that occurred on an annual basis and explain the varied causes of these deaths
Approximately 400 encounters each year where police officers use deadly force against the Citizen. Many of these cases are justifiable homicides do you to deadly force or threats of deadly force being used against a police officer or citizens in the officers presence, many are also attributed to mental health illness and suicide by cop
Identify the number of annual assault on police officers and detail the circumstances related to these unlawful attacks
Between 50,000 and 60,000 assaults by citizens on police officers, and that most occur on disturbance calls and when trying to rest a suspect, and the majority of officers are either punched or kicked in the process
Explain the use of force continuum and the progression of steps/stages
Do use of force continuum teaches police officers that there is a progression of force and that they are authorized to use a level of force one step over the force being used on them. The stages include: officer presence verbalization empty hand control less than lethal methods lethal force
Define police use of force and its parameters, especially in light of the two related supreme court decisions
Officers are authorize the use of force when they are attempting to make an arrest, pursuing and escape felon, or protecting their lives and the lives of citizens. The supreme court case of Tennessee v. Garner (1985) States that police officers may not shoot fling felons unless they pose an immediate threat to citizens Graham v. Connor (1989) adopted a reasonableness standard for how much force was necessary related to the circumstances surrounding the situation
Comprehend the relative dangers of the occupation of police officer
Policing is a dangerous job, but according to the bureau of labor statistics, it is not the most dangerous job, and in fact, generally ranks just outside of the top 10 most dangerous occupations on the annual basis
Identify the number of police officers annually killed in the line of duty and what is known about these deaths
Since 2000, the average number of police officers killed in the line of duty has been between 100-150 officers, with the majority typically been killed by way of motor vehicle accident, followed by death violence, then other accidents and health-related deaths
Compare and contrast the reason many agencies are adopting a force options model
The force options model has been adopted to avoid the notion that many officers believe they must go through each step in the continuum model, it is more in line with the reasonableness standard established by the US Supreme Court in Graham v. Connor (1989)