NCJ Number
100195
Journal
American Journal of Police Volume: 4 Issue: 2 Dated: (Fall 1985) Pages: 93-109
Date Published
1985
Length
17 pages
Annotation
This article examines the nature, policy, and law on police use of deadly force and proposes a defense-of-life law as an alternative to existing practice.
Abstract
While it is difficult to assess the true extent of police-to-citizen killings, some studies suggest that they have declined between 1970-79. Victims of such shootings are disproportionately young, black males, possibly indicative of racism. Other studies have shown that significant numbers of police shootings involve fleeing or unarmed victims, and, therefore, do not involve defense-of-life situations. While many States and recent Supreme Court decisions have placed restrictions on the use of deadly force, prosecutions are relatively rare; such force has not been limited to life-threatening situations. Further, police policies restricting use of deadly force have been fragmented, and penalties are usually mild. A rememdy to this situation would be enactment of a law that applies to all jurisdictions and limits the use of deadly force to situations involving direct jeopardy to another's life. Such a law would hold police to the same standards required of other citizens and would provide sanctions commensurate with the seriousness of the offense. 21 references.