NCJ Number
43845
Editor(s)
L E LEWIS,
K E RISKAM
Date Published
1974
Length
0 pages
Annotation
PATTERNS OF POLICE FATALITIES, RISK FACTORS IN POLICE WORK, AND WAYS OF REDUCING RISK ARE DISCUSSED IN AN AUDIO CASSETTE/MAGAZINE PRESENTATION.
Abstract
THE TAPE AND COMPANION WRITTEN MATERIALS COVER THE DEFINITION OF A HIGH-RISK SITUATION, STATISTICS ON POLICE KILLINGS AND THE SITUATIONS IN WHICH THEY ARE MOST LIKELY TO OCCUR, FACTORS DISTINGUISHING CASUALTY FROM NONCASUALTY INCIDENTS, AND SPECIFIC METHODS OF RISK REDUCTION. ONE STUDY IDENTIFIED THE FOLLOWING RISK-RELATED FACTORS: COMPLACENCY DUE TO OVER-FAMILIARIZATION OR BOREDOM; REMAINING IN THE FIRE ZONE WHILE UNDER ATTACK; ENTRAPMENT BY AMBUSHERS WHILE ON A SEEMINGLY ROUTINE CALL; LACK OF PROFICIENCY WITH THE SHOTGUN; CASUAL USE OF PORTABLE RADIOS WHEN ANSWERING HOT CALLS; AND OFF-DUTY EMPLOYMENT IN A POLICE CAPACITY WHILE SEPARATED FROM POLICE SUPPORT. RISK REDUCTION MEASURES ARE DISCUSSED FOR THE FOLLOWING SITUATIONS: AMBUSH ATTACKS; SNIPER ATTACKS; BARRICADED CRIMINALS; RIOTS; DEMONSTRATIONS AND CIVIL DISORDER; TERRORIST ACTIVITIES; HOT CALLS; AND ROUTINE CALLS. A STUDY INDICATING THAT A POLICE OFFICER'S INTERPERSONAL SKILLS ARE HIGHLY RELATED TO HIS PROPENSITY TOWARD VIOLENCE IS CITED. TRAINING IS SAID TO BE THE KEY TO RISK REDUCTION. INTERVIEWS ARE PRESENTED WITH A PROFESSOR OF PSYCHOLOGY WHO HAS STUDIED POLICE VIOLENCE AND WITH AN OFFICER IN CHARGE OF WEAPONS TRAINING FOR AN URBAN POLICE DEPARTMENT. THE PROFESSOR DISCUSSES METHODS OF DEALING WITH VIOLENCE-PRONE POLICE OFFICERS, WHILE THE TRAINING OFFICER TOUCHES ON THE ROLE OF DISCIPLINE IN WEAPONS TRAINING. ALSO INCLUDED IN THE MAGAZINE ARE SUMMARIES OF ARTICLES ON PUBLIC OPINION CONCERNING FIREARMS CONTROL, A COURT DECISION REGARDING THE WRITTEN EXAMINATION GIVEN POLICE RECRUITS IN WASHINGTON, D.C., INNOVATIVE USES FOR THE POLYGRAPH, TEAM POLICING, REMEDIES FOR SUPERVISION PROBLEMS, AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE CARRYING OF FIREARMS ON AIRCRAFT BY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS. MANUALS ON RISK REDUCTION IN AMBUSH ATTACKS AND ROBBERY EVENTS, AVAILABLE ONLY TO PUBLIC SAFETY PERSONNEL, ARE NOTED.