NCJ Number
85039
Date Published
1981
Length
147 pages
Annotation
The majority of the killings of police officers were primarily due to officer error and failure to use protective equipment, which can be impacted through improved training and the required wearing of body armor.
Abstract
The study explored 30 variables associated with fatal assaults on police officers from 1972 through 1978. Officer errors were associated with the killings in every type of call and at every level of age and experience, as well as in every size organization and every type of agency. The key element in officer error was failure to follow established police procedures. Further, the use of light-weight body armor would have reduced officer deaths by nearly 50 percent. The majority of the killings occurred in the late night and early morning of any day during any month while responding to robbery calls, disturbance calls, or enforcing traffic regulations. Fatal assaults were more likely to occur in cities with above average crime rates. Off-duty assaults occurred at a high rate and involved errors precipitated by the off-duty officer's attempted intervention in a crime. To help reduce officer error, basic law enforcement training should include instruction in officer survival, basic patrol procedures, and defense methods. Preservice and inservice training should deal with off-duty procedures, responsibilities, and survival tactics. Body armor should be provided and required of all uniformed officers and other officers involved in arrest situations. Further, professional procedures and polices governing the transportation and incarceration of prisoners should be implemented, particularly in rural areas. Tabular data and 94 bibliographic selections are provided.