NCJ Number
210484
Journal
Police: The Law Enforcement Magazine Volume: 29 Issue: 6 Dated: June 2005 Pages: 56-58,60,62-63,64
Date Published
June 2005
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the issue of police officers shooting at moving vehicles and outlines police policies regarding this type of use of force.
Abstract
Following the shooting of a 13-year old Black suspect in Los Angeles, which occurred when officers shot at the moving vehicle he was driving, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) revised its use of force guidelines to prohibit officers from shooting at moving vehicles. Although viewed with skepticism by some officers, police trainers and use-of-force policy experts have generally agreed that the policy is sound and in the best interest of police officer and citizen safety. The reasons officers should not shoot at moving vehicles are analyzed, as are the few situations that may require police to shoot at a moving vehicle. Overall, experts advise that it makes more sense for officers to move out of the way of vehicles trying to run them down than it does for them to shoot at the vehicles. The importance of police tactical training is underscored so that police officers are better trained to protect themselves while on duty, thus decreasing the chances of the need for deadly force. Administrators and police experts ask officers for understanding regarding the new policies and advise there are better ways to protect an officer from a moving vehicle than to fire on it. Exhibits