NCJ Number
46810
Journal
MILITARY POLICE LAW ENFORCEMENT JOURNAL Volume: 5 Issue: 1 Dated: (SPRING 1978) Pages: 38-43
Date Published
1978
Length
6 pages
Annotation
ELEMENTS IN THE USE OF FORCE BY POLICE, PERSONALITY TRAITS AS THEY RELATE TO USE OF FORCE, AND TRAINING AIMED AT AVOIDING UNNECESSARY USE OF FORCE ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
THE USE OF VIOLENT FORCE BY POLICE FALLS INTO FOUR GENERAL CATEGORIES: THE FORCE THE STATE LEGISLATURE HAS AUTHORIZED POLICE TO USE WHILE MAKING AN ARREST; THE FORCE THAT IS TACITLY AUTHORIZED BY EITHER PUBLIC OR POLICE TRADITION TO HANDLE CERTAIN TYPES OF OFFENDERS; THE VIOLENCE USED BY POLICE WHO ENJOY HURTING PEOPLE; AND THE VIOLENCE THAT ERUPTS WHEN AN OFFICER BECOMES AFRAID OR IS UNDER GREAT PHYSICAL OR MENTAL STRESS. THERE IS A SEQUENCE OF EVENTS IN POLICE USE OF FORCE: THE OFFICER'S PRESENCE AT THE SCENE; THE COMMANDS HE OR SHE ISSUES; AND THE OFFICER'S USE OF PHYSICAL FORCE, THE NIGHTSTICK, AND DEADLY FORCE. OFTEN POLICE OFFICERS HAVE ONLY SECONDS IN WHICH TO DECIDE THE EXTENT OF FORCE THAT IS REQUIRED IN A GIVEN SITUATION. RESEARCH STUDIES HAVE FOUND THAT POLICE, AS A GROUP, MAY BE CHARACTERIZED AS SUSPICIOUS, AUTHORITATIVE, SECRETIVE, COHESIVE, CYNICAL, AND CONSERVATIVE. THESE PERSONALITY TRAITS HAVE AN EFFECT ON HOW POLICE USE FORCE. MISUSE OF FORCE IS A PROBLEM IN ALL POLICE DEPARTMENTS. TRAINING PROGRAMS THAT WILL PRECLUDE OR REDUCE THE INCIDENCE OF MISUSE OF FORCE ARE NEEDED. THE U.S. ARMY'S INSTRUCTIONAL SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT (ISD) PROCESS OFFERS AN EFFECTIVE, SYSTEMATIC APPROACH TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF SUCH TRAINING PROGRAMS IN CIVILIAN AS WELL AS MILITARY POLICE ORGANIZATIONS. ISD ANALYSIS, DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT, IMPLEMENTATION, AND CONTROL ARE DISCUSSED. (LKM)