NCJ Number
122162
Journal
State Peace Officers Journal Volume: 38 Issue: 3 Dated: (1989) Pages: 60-65
Editor(s)
L Pilant
Date Published
1989
Length
6 pages
Annotation
Americans for Effective Law Enforcement (AELE) lists the strengths and weaknesses of each of the major impact weapons (batons; neck restraints; chemical agents; electrical weapons; flashlights; and blackjacks, saps, and billies used by law enforcement officers to assist in community decisionmaking in this controversial area.
Abstract
The progression of force begins with verbal persuasion, then moves to manual escort, pain compliance, and use of impact weapons. Control techniques are measured for their propensity for causing tissue damage, hematoma or clotting, and potential for control. Litigation claiming administrative negligence in cases where an officer resorts to force focuses on whether injury or death could have been prevented by improved training in psychological persuasion or by initial avoidance of conflict with the adversary. The baton, the weapon most associated with police by the public, is lightweight, has good reach, can immobilize a combatant or be used in a non-offensive blockade, and is useful in implementing a "come-along" hold. However, it is cumbersome, easily lost, often cause facial lacerations and substantial blood loss, and is rarely used as a "come-along" device. The development of a side-handled baton has instigated a debate over baton design within the law enforcement community. Neck restraints (arm bar, carotid restraint, and lateral vascular restraint) are effective, employable in close quarters, and avoid impact-related trauma. On the other hand, they require extensive training, cause injury or death, and are difficult to defend in litigation. Chemical agents are inexpensive, do not require extensive training or physical contact. But they are not effective on many people, incite aggressive behavior in others, can cause medical problems, and can affect the officer involved. Electrical weapons are easily carried, do not require extensive training, are effective in controlling non-criminal violent behavior, and substitute for use of firearms. However, they can cause scars, can be abused by officers, can produce a poor public image, and lack supporting medical research. Flashlights are readily available, do not appear like weapons, and can be used to temporarily disorient an opponent. As impact weapons, however, they can cause paralysis, and have a shorter reach and slower response time than batons. Blackjacks, saps, and billies are easily carried and concealed; but they are too short, have sharp edges, and are used for facial and head blows with resulting traumas. Law enforcement agencies should protect themselves from litigation by keeping manufacturers' literature and photocopies of liability insurance policies, considering current claims against specific products, preparing a defense before an incident, and disciplining officers who carry or use unauthorized weapons.