NCJ Number
62044
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 27 Issue: 7 Dated: (JULY 1979) Pages: 50-54
Date Published
1979
Length
5 pages
Annotation
THE PRACTICE NECESSARY FOR QUICK AND ACCURATE USE OF A HANDGUN AND PRINCIPLES TO GUIDE THE POLICE OFFICER IN WHEN TO FIRE HIS OR HER WEAPON ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
GENERALLY, POLICE OFFICERS ARE NOT PROPERLY PREPARED TO USE THEIR WEAPONS. BEING PREPARED TO USE A WEAPON PROPERLY INVOLVES CONTINUOUS PRACTICE UNTIL THE ACT OF DRAWING, AIMING, AND TRIGGER FINGER CONTROL IS AUTOMATIC AND FAMILIAR. ALTHOUGH THE USE OF THE HANDGUN IS NOT A REGULAR EXPERIENCE FOR AN OFFICER, THOSE FEW TIMES IT IS REQUIRED ARE LIFE AND DEATH SITUATIONS. PRACTICE INCLUDES NOT ONLY FIRING ON THE RANGE, BUT DRAWING AND DRY FIRING AT HOME TO BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE MOTIONS AND MOVEMENTS TO BE MADE IN FIRING THE WEAPON. THE OFFICER SHOULD ALSO BE FAMILIAR WITH THE USE OF THE SHOTGUN, INCLUDING HOW TO UNLOAD IT PROPERLY. IN THE MATTER OF WHEN TO SHOOT THEIR WEAPONS, POLICE OFFICERS SHOULD FOLLOW THE BASIC GUIDELINE THAT THE KILLING OF A PERSON IS ONLY JUSTIFIED IN DEFENSE OF YOUR OWN LIFE OR THE LIFE OF ANOTHER. IF A PERSON BEING ARRESTED HAS A GUN, AN OFFICER MAY SHOOT FIRST WHERE THE CIRCUMSTANCES APPEAR TO BE LIFE THREATENING. IF A KNOWN FELON SEEKS TO ESCAPE FROM ARREST, THE WEAPON MAY BE USED TO STOP ESCAPE. IF A PERSON BEING ARRESTED FOR A MISDEMEANOR SEEKS TO ESCAPE BY RUNNING, THE WEAPON MAY NOT BE USED. SHOULD AN ASSAULT BE MADE ON AN OFFICER DURING AN ARREST, THE FORCE NECESSARY FOR SELF-PROTECTION MAY BE USED, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE ARREST IS FOR A FELONY OR MISDEMEANOR, BUT IN CAR PURSUIT, THE WEAPON SHOULD NOT BE USED UNLESS THE ONE BEING PURSUED FIRES FIRST. SHOULD AN OFFICER SHOOT SOMEONE, THAT OFFICER SHOULD NOT MAKE A STATEMENT TO ANYONE UNTIL A REPORT HAS BEEN GIVEN TO THE SUPERVISOR OR COMMANDING OFFICER. (RCB)