NCJ Number
123534
Journal
Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice Volume: 6 Issue: 1 Dated: (February 1990) Pages: 23-36
Date Published
1990
Length
14 pages
Annotation
Social science literature provides many examples of the use of lethal force by law enforcement officers, but research is needed on the use of less-than-lethal weapons as an alternative to deadly force.
Abstract
The use of force in almost every law enforcement context in the United States is constrained by State and/or Federal statutes. In most instances, assaults on law enforcement agents are spontaneous events that are precipitated by a stressful or emotional confrontation. Frequently, however, there is ample time for dialogue between the officer and the assailant. An alternative to the use of deadly force is the development of nonlethal weapons that can be interspaced on the force continuum between verbalization techniques and lethal force. Nonlethal weapons can be classified as electrical, chemical, and impact. Other less-than-lethal weapons include police dogs, kicks, upper body control holds, flash bang grenades, modified military grenades, capture nets, the claw, three-pole trip devices, flashlights, and the power staff (a pneumatic impact device used most commonly in custodial settings). Futuristic nonlethal weapon types include electrified water pistols, electromagnetic radiation devices, extremely low-frequency radiation devices, flashing or stroboscopic lights, dart guns, stench gases, mood altering and knockout gases, and various chemical devices. 39 references. (Author abstract modified)