NCJ Number
53081
Journal
ENGAGE/SOCIAL ACTION Dated: (NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 1978) Pages: 35-37
Date Published
1978
Length
6 pages
Annotation
THE POLICIES OF POLICE USE OF FIREARMS ARE DISCUSSED WITH REFERENCE TO THE PERSPECTIVES OF AMERICAN HISTORY, AND THE NECESSITIES OF COMTEMPORARY SOCIETY.
Abstract
TO CONTROL POLICE USE OF DEADLY FORCE, A POLICY IS NECESSARY WHICH WOULD INSURE THE SAFETY OF BOTH THE POLICE AND THE PUBLIC. THE REQUIRED POLICY SHOULD NOT BE COMPLICATED, BUT RATHER ITS APPLICATION SHOULD BE EASILY UNDERSTOOD BY ALL POLICE OFFICERS. SUCH A POLICY SHOULD BE EASILY ENFORCED AND MUST HOLD ACCOUNTABLE THOSE OFFICERS WHO EMPLOY FORCE. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT NO OFFICER SHOULD DISCHARGE A WEAPON EXCEPT TO DEFEND HIS OWN LIFE OR THE LIFE OR ANOTHER PERSON, AND THEN ONLY WHEN THERE IS NO OTHER ALTERNATIVE. THERE SHOULD BE NO GUESSWORK, NO ROOM FOR INTERPRETATION. IN CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN SOCIETY THERE IS A REQUIREMENT FOR ORDER THAT MUST BE CONSISTENT WITH A DEMOCRATIC CULTURE, AND IN SUCH A DEMOCRACY THE POLICE MUST SEE THEMSELVES AS A PART OF THE GOVERNMENT, AND NOT AS A SEPARATE ENTITY. THE GUIDELINES WHICH ADMINISTRATORS DEVELOP FOR LINE OFFICERS SHOULD NOT HAMPER THE OFFICERS BUT SHOULD ASSIST THE DECISIONMAKING PROCESS. THE POTENTIAL FOR TAKING LIFE OUGHT TO BE RECOGNIZED IN EVERY USE OF FORCE, AND ANY SUCH USE MUST BE SUBJECTED TO SCRUTINY ON GROUNDS OF LEGAL AND MORAL PRINCIPLES. THE STATE LAWS LIMITING A POLICE OFFICER'S USE OF FORCE ARE NOT UNIFORM, BUT ARE SEEN AS FOLLOWING A NEED FOR MORE EXPLICIT POLICIES. THE POLICE GUIDELINES FOR SEVERAL JURISDICTIONS, INCLUDING DAYTON, OHIO, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA ARE PRESENTED. ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS CONCERN THE ABUSE OF POLICE POWER AGAINST HISPANICS IN EL PASO, TEX., AND THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION'S STATISTICS ON POLICE FATALITIES DURING 1977. BIBLIOGRAPHIC RESOURCES ARE LISTED. (TWK)