NCJ Number
164085
Journal
Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice Volume: 12 Issue: 3 Dated: (August 1996) Pages: 250-263
Date Published
1996
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This study investigated what steps police agencies in Michigan and North Carolina have taken to provide veteran officers with regular training in less-than-lethal force tactics and equipment.
Abstract
Between 1992 and 1994, 482 police officers in Michigan and North Carolina responded to a questionnaire that pertained to the training their departments have provided in less-than-lethal force tactics and equipment since graduating from the police academy. The population of the study consisted of patrol officers and police supervisors from various departments in the two States who were attending either defensive tactics or supervisory training courses. The questionnaire addressed the following issues: the types of less-than-lethal weapons officers are authorized to use, the frequency with which departments provide training in such weapons and tactics after leaving the academy, whether departments are providing training in liability issues associated with the use of force, and whether police departments have provided officers with a current use-of-force policy or testing over the policy. A number of respondents were unaware that their department had a non-deadly force policy, and a majority of those who were aware of a policy had never been tested in its contents. Patrol officers as a group had received training in a less timely manner than supervisors. Suggestions for formulating training strategies are provided. 4 tables and 20 references