NCJ Number
65598
Date Published
1977
Length
22 pages
Annotation
THE LAMB POLICE BATON METHOD, TEACHING PREDICTABLE, ADEQUATE APPLICATION OF BATON FORCE, IS OUTLINED IN THIS MANUAL.
Abstract
THE LAMB METHOD, DEVELOPED BY A 23-YEAR VETERAN OF THE BOSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT, DIRECTS FORCE AT ONLY THOSE BODY AREAS WHERE A BATON BLOW WOULD CAUSE TEMPORARY DISABILITY BUT NOT PERMANENT INJURY. LAMB PROCEDURES ARE USED DEFENSIVELY, ONLY, AND ARE LEGALLY DEFENSIBLE AGAINST CHARGES OF POLICE BRUTALITY. MOREOVER, THE METHOD CAN BE USED BY WOMEN AND OLDER OFFICERS AS WELL AS YOUNG, ATHLETIC, MALE OFFICERS. INSTRUCTORS SHOULD PREVIEW THE MANUAL AND ACCOMPANYING FILM WELL IN ADVANCE OF TRAINING SESSIONS TO DEVELOP PROFICIENCY. AS LAMB TECHNIQUES ARE INTENDED TO REPLACE FIREARMS IN SOME CIRCUMSTANCES, POLICE OFFICERS SHOULD DISCUSS THE NEED FOR NEW BATON METHODS AND VARIOUS WAYS OF HANDLING SUSPECTS WHO ATTACK OR RESIST THEM. TO BECOME COMPETENT IN THE LAMB METHOD, OFFICERS NEED 5 OR 6 HOURS OF TRAINING, SPREAD OUT OVER A WEEK AND SHOULD ALTERNATE TRAINING AND PRACTICE. RECOMMENDED TRAINING EQUIPMENT INCLUDES A 16 MM FILM PROJECTOR, PRACTICE BATONS MADE FROM PLASTIC TUBING, AND A GYMNASIUM WITH MATS TO PERMIT OFFICERS TO APPROXIMATE ASSAULT SITUATIONS WITHOUT INJURING THEMSELVES, AND TO DEVELOP SPEED AND ACCURACY. REFRESHER TRAINING IS ALSO RECOMMENDED. LAMB METHOD POSITIONS ARE EXPLAINED AND ILLUSTRATED, INCLUDING RESTING, DEFENSE AGAINST RUSHES OR CHARGES, STANDOFFS, AND DEFENSE AGAINST KICKS, PUNCHES, OR TWO OPPONENTS. A BIBLIOGRAPHY IS INCLUDED. (PAP)