NCJ Number
112041
Date Published
1988
Length
40 pages
Annotation
As part of a 3-phase deadly force training project, workshops on deadly force policy development and implementation were presented to chiefs of police at 10 sites throughout the country during 1987.
Abstract
An impact evaluation survey, completed by 202 workshop participants, examined each of the 20 components of a recommended police deadly force policy. Of these components, a majority of departments had policy directives in place concerning the definition of deadly force, defense of life, significant threat, warning shots, risk to innocent bystanders, shooting at or from moving vehicles, shots to destroy wounded animals, safe firearm handling, use of secondary (backup) and off-duty weapons, firearms training and certification, agency investigation processes, psychological services for officers involved in a deadly force incident, and administrative leave. Conversely, a majority of agencies lacked policies covering department legal disclaimers, the value of human life, shooting to stop, deadly force against juveniles, use of soft body armor, and civil rights violations. In departments lacking these components, a majority of participants indicated they would recommend changes in their departmental policies. Of 312 participants, only 3 indicated they would not recommend the course to others. Overall, results indicate that the program met its goals of enabling participants to evaluate the deadly force policies and procedures of their agencies, provided knowledge for developing new or improving existing policies, and provided needed technical assistance. 20 graphs and addenda.