Department of Defense Non-Lethal Weapons and Equipment Review: A Research Guide for Civil Law Enforcement and Corrections

• NCJ Number: 200516
• Date Published: July 2002
• Length: 72 pages
• Publication Series: NIJ Research Report
• Grant Number(s): 2001-LT-BX-K009
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Program/Project Description

Annotation

This report by National Security Research, Inc., presents an evaluation of technologies, weapons, and other devices designed to minimize the risk of death and injury to law enforcement officers.

Abstract

Protecting suspects, prisoners, the general public, and themselves is an important goal for law enforcement officials. This report evaluates less-than-lethal weapons and technologies designed for use by police, sheriff, and corrections departments. Noting that this report, from the Department of Defense Joint Non-Lethal Weapons Program, is to be used to aid law enforcement officials in selecting effective non-lethal (NL) and less-than-lethal LTL weaponry, the authors detail the DOD’s NL/LTL equipment selection process. Following a discussion of the organizational structure and purpose of the DOD’s Joint NL Weapons Program, the authors define NL weapons as those that seek to incapacitate individuals while minimizing fatalities. Brief descriptions of the development of the NL weapons programs of the United States’ Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Special Operations Command, Coast Guard, and Civil Law Enforcement departments is followed by a series of appendices detailing the various types of non-lethal weapons employed by each of these branches of law enforcement and protection services. Photographs, costs, descriptions, operational capabilities and use, and manufacturing information for each weapon are presented as well. NL weapons and equipment included within these appendices include non-ballistic face and body shields, ballistic shields, various batons, bullhorns, high intensity lights and accessories, disposable restraint systems, riot control gear, shotguns, grenades, obscuring smoke devices, and arrest barriers.