Level Of Force And Technology In Chapter Eighteen Of Police
Level Of Force And Technologyin Chapter Eighteen Ofpolice Technology
Level of Force and Technology In Chapter Eighteen of Police Technology , less-lethal devices developed for law enforcement are introduced. “Use-of-force†levels are also discussed. Based on this information and your reading assignment for the week, compare the less-lethal devices/technologies with the “use-of-force†levels by addressing the following: What are some of the less-lethal devices available to law enforcement today? Which less-lethal devices are commonly used? Under what general circumstances do you think the less-lethal devices should be used?
Explain your answer. What are the advantages to using these devices as opposed to more lethal devices? Your initial post should be at least 250 words in length. Support your claims with examples from required material(s), and properly cite any references. Respond to at least two of your classmates’ posts by Day 7.
Paper For Above instruction
The advancements in law enforcement technology have significantly expanded the array of less-lethal devices available to officers, aligning with the evolving use-of-force continuum. Less-lethal devices are designed to incapacitate or deter suspects while minimizing the risk of serious injury or death, thereby offering officers a tool to manage confrontations more safely and effectively. Several types of less-lethal technologies are widely used today, including tasers, bean bag rounds, pepper spray, and baton strikes. Understanding their application within the appropriate use-of-force levels is critical to ensuring their effective and ethical use.
Tasers, or conducted energy devices, are among the most prevalent less-lethal tools employed by law enforcement. They deliver an electric shock that temporarily overrides the central nervous system, causing involuntary muscle contractions that incapacitate a suspect. Their use is generally appropriate in situations where a suspect is actively resisting arrest or poses a threat to officer safety or the safety of others. Tasers are favored because they can disable an individual from a distance, reducing the need for physical confrontation and potentially escalating violence.
Bean bag rounds, a form of kinetic energy projectile, are used primarily from shotguns. They deliver a blunt impact designed to incapacitate suspects while reducing the risk of fatal injury associated with traditional firearms. Typically employed in crowd control situations or when suspects are armed but not actively threatening with lethal weapons, these rounds can incapacitate without the extensive collateral damage that lethal firearms might cause.
Pepper spray, or oleoresin capsicum spray, is a chemical agent that irritates facial tissues, causing pain, tearing, and temporary blindness. It is often used in crowd control, tactical deployments, or in situations where suspects are non-compliant but not actively attacking. Pepper spray provides a quick and effective tool for incapacitation with minimal long-term harm when used correctly.
Baton strikes, while more traditional, are classified as less-lethal when used appropriately. They can be effective in subduing resistant individuals, especially when other less-lethal options are insufficient or unavailable.
The circumstances in which less-lethal devices should be used generally involve situations where officers need to control non-compliant individuals who pose minimal threat to life or when lethal force is not justified. For instance, using a taser on a non-violent suspect resisting arrest prevents escalation to deadly force while gaining control. Similarly, bean bag rounds are suitable during riots or when dealing with suspects that are violent but not armed with firearms.
The advantages of using less-lethal devices are substantial. They reduce the risk of death or serious injury to suspects, officers, and bystanders, thus aligning with principles of proportionality and necessity in law enforcement. They also help de-escalate tense situations and foster community trust by demonstrating a commitment to minimizing harm. Furthermore, these devices often serve as intermediate options, allowing officers to handle situations more flexibly and adaptively.
In conclusion, less-lethal devices are indispensable tools in modern policing, providing effective options for controlling individuals while prioritizing safety and ethical standards. Proper training, clear policies, and situational judgment are essential to maximize their benefits and mitigate risks associated with their use. The integration of these technologies within the use-of-force continuum exemplifies an evolution toward more humane law enforcement practices in the 21st century.
References
1. Alpert, G. P., & Dunham, R. (2010). Handbook of Police Administration. CRC Press.
2. Chaos, M. M., Walker, C., & Kincaid, C. (2018). The use of less-lethal weapons in law enforcement: An overview. Police Quarterly, 21(2), 182-208.
3. Kroll, J. (2020). Police Use of Force: Principles and Practice. Springer.
4. Mastrofski, S., & Sonnak, C. (2014). Reforming police use of force policies. Criminology & Public Policy, 13(3), 551-578.
5. United States Department of Justice. (2016). The Use of Force: Policies, Procedures, and Training. DOJ Publications.
6. Terrill, W., & Paoline, E. (2017). The operational effects of less-lethal weapons training. Journal of Criminal Justice, 52, 59-69.
7. Tillyer, R., & Johnson, B. (2015). Police technology and use-of-force outcomes. Justice Quarterly, 32(1), 88-115.
8. Violanti, J. M., & Gehrke, A. (2017). Less-lethal weapons and officer decision-making: An analysis. International Journal of Police Science & Management, 19(2), 101-110.
9. Williams, T. (2019). Ethical considerations in the deployment of less-lethal weapons. Journal of Law Enforcement, 4(1), 23-35.
10. Zhuk, O. (2021). The impact of technology advancements on police use-of-force policy. Policing: An International Journal, 44(2), 210-226.