Report on the Fourth International Law Enforcement Forum: Minimal Force Options and Less-Lethal Technologies

• NCJ Number: 232753
• Date Published: 2005
• Length: 79 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2004-IJ-CX-K040
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Conference Material

Annotation

This report is a summary of the discussions and the associated conclusions derived from the sessions of the Fourth International Law Enforcement Forum on Minimal Force Options and Less-Lethal Technologies held in 2005 in Canada addressing the effectiveness and acceptability of the less-lethal technologies and weapons systems with recommendations on further work.

Abstract

There continues to be considerable misunderstanding as to how less-lethal technologies actually work, their injury potential, and effectiveness. There is growing recognition amongst the international community that determining and articulating effectiveness and acceptability of the less-lethal technologies and weapons systems needs to be address in a systematic and objective manner. The 2005 International Law Enforcement Forum on Minimal Force Options and Less-Lethal Technologies, hosted by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in June 2005 brought together persons involved in the development, use, and monitoring of less-lethal technologies with representatives from the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, New Zealand, and Sweden. Key issues included identifying operational requirements and capability gaps, the development and establishment of testing and training standards for less-lethal technologies, and working to achieve those ends. There was recognition of the value of adopting an integrated approach to selection, development, and use of technologies. Delegates participated in six distinct workshop sessions: (1) Development of Testing Standards, (2) Accountability, Oversight, Review, and Investigations; (3) Medical and Psychological Effectiveness; (4) Operational Policing, Strategic and Tactical Command Issues; (5) Operational Policing, Tactics and Training Issues; and (6) New Threats, Capability Gaps, and New Technologies. Recommendations for further work are outlined, specifically in relation to standards for development, testing and training, protocols for use of force reporting, investigation, and oversight, increased information sharing, and taxonomy and terminology clarification. Figures and appendixes A-C