ASSAULTS ON POLICE OFFICERS - HOW SAFE ARE YOU

• NCJ Number: 12009
• Journal: Police Chief Volume: 40 Issue: 12 Dated: (DECEMBER 1973) Pages: 44,46-48,53
• Author(s): P L HORSTMAN
• Date Published: 1973
• Length: 5 pages
• Corporate Author: International Assoc of Chiefs of Police
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

RESEARCH TO PROTECT THE POLICE OFFICER BY SUPPLYING KNOWLEDGE OF DANGER AREAS IN HANDLING PRISONERS AND OTHER SITUATIONS WITH WHICH THE POLICE HAVE TO DEAL.

Abstract

ALL ASSAULTS ON OFFICERS OVER A FIVE-YEAR PERIOD IN THE NORMAN, OKLAHOMA POLICE DEPARTMENT WERE STUDIED AND ANALYZED. THE GREATEST FREQUENCY OF ASSAULTS REPORTED OCCURRED IN JANUARY AND JULY, ON A WEEKEND, IN A RETAIL BUSINESS AREA, AND WAS MOST LIKELY COMMITTED BY A DRUNK PERSON OR AN INDIVIDUAL WITH EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS. THE ASSAULTS OFTEN OCCURRED WHEN THE OFFICER PHYSICALLY PLACED THE INDIVIDUAL UNDER ARREST. THE FINDINGS INDICATE THAT TRAINING IN HUMAN RELATIONS, PSYCHOLOGY, AND DEFENSIVE TACTICS WOULD BE BENEFICIAL TO THE POLICE OFFICER. SEVERAL SITUATIONS, SUCH AS ARRESTING ONE PERSON IN A GROUP AND FRISKING A PRISONER, WERE CITED AS INSTANCES REQUIRING EXTREME CAUTION.