NCJ Number
94041
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 53 Issue: 4 Dated: (April 1984) Pages: 7-12
Date Published
1984
Length
6 pages
Annotation
The results of this study underscore the importance of a police department's policy concerning the use of deadly force. The policy must be clearly written and understood by all involved personnel.
Abstract
The study reviewed the use of deadly force by a southeastern police department over a 4-year period. At the time of the study, the department had 160 officers. It had instituted a conservative 'defense of life' policy for officers to use deadly force, which had resulted in a considerable decline in the number of shooting incidents. However, firearms training was sporadic, and all training was conducted with reloaded .38-caliber wadcutter ammunition. Very little training time was allotted to judgment, weapon retention, moving and multiple targets, etc. Firearms training was held twice a year. The most obvious ommission was the failure to test or qualify police personnel with the correct combination of weapons and ammunition. The standard issue handgun ammunition for this police department was Remington .357 magnum 125 JHP. But for qualification, the ammunition was a .38 Special 148 grain wadcutter. The pilot study examined the effects of using .357 magnum ammunition for the puroses of qualification. A random sample of 27 sworn personnel was chosen from all ranks in the department for the experimental group and used the .357 magnum ammunition during qualification testing, while 27 controls used .38 Special wadcutter ammunition. Scores were significantly lower (less accurate) when the .357 ammunition was used. Results highlighted the importance of testing officers with the same weapons and ammunition that they actually use when on duty. Policy implications and recommendations are included. One footnote and two figures are supplied.