NCJ Number
220149
Journal
Policing: In International Journal of Police Strategies and Management Volume: 30 Issue: 3 Dated: 2007 Pages: 423-446
Date Published
2007
Length
24 pages
Annotation
This paper examines the effect of police use of conducted energy devices (CEDs) on officer and suspect injuries while controlling for other types of force and resistance and other factors.
Abstract
The findings from Richmond County indicates that the use of oleoresin capsicum (OC ) or pepper spray on suspects is one of the most important variables linked to a reduction in suspect injury, while conducted energy device (CED) use is not associated with either a decrease or increase in injury. The data from the Miami-Dade Police Department, whose officers did not have access to OC as an intermediate weapon, show that the use of CEDs is associated with reductions in injury to both officers and suspects. Moreover, the analysis of suspect injury severity in the MDPD finds that the use of CEDs is associated with reductions of both minor and major injuries, clearly a more desirable outcome than if CEDs are linked to reductions in minor injuries only. Over the years, use-of-force researchers have given attention to the issues involving injuries to officers and suspects. This research paper presents results from a unique analysis of police use of force data obtained from two different law enforcement agencies. The paper begins with a brief discussion of representative findings from the existing literature on police use of force and injuries. Following the discussion, data sources, methods, and analytic strategy are outlined. Data were obtained from the Richmond County, South Carolina Sheriff's Department, and the Miami-Dade County, Florida Police Department. Notes, references