NCJ Number
159739
Date Published
1996
Length
0 pages
Annotation
This presentation discusses research conducted at sites in five States regarding the amount of force used by police and suspects during arrests.
Abstract
The research focused on six elements of the use of force: (1) the use, threatened use, or possession of weapons; (2) the use of weaponless tactics such as grabbing and kicking; (3) the use of restraints such as handcuffs; (4) motion such as flight or pursuit; (5) the content and nature of the use of the voice; and (6) demeanor. The research also used three approaches to measuring force. The research in Phoenix gathered information by means of an anonymous survey completed by police immediately following 1,585 officially recorded arrests during 2 weeks in June 1994. Data were also collected from interviews with 185 of the suspects of arrested. The police and the suspects reported comparable levels of force. No force was used in about 80 percent of the arrest. Weapons, most often a flashlight, were used in 2 percent of the arrests; shouts or threats, in 3.5 percent; and pursuits, in 6.7 percent. Unexpectedly, no handcuffs were used in 20 percent of the arrests. Further analysis revealed that the single most consistent predictor of force by the police was force by the suspect. Race was not a factor. The research at the other four sites has some design similarities to the Phoenix research, as well as some innovations. The research has revealed that information about the amount of force enlightens understanding of police behavior and improves policy development regarding the use of excessive force. The research is scheduled to end by March 1997. Questions from the audience, answers by the speaker, and introduction by National Institute of Justice Director Jeremy Travis