NCJ Number
54082
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 27 Issue: 1 Dated: (JANUARY 1979) Pages: 78,80,82,84-86,88-90,92-93
Date Published
1979
Length
11 pages
Annotation
THREE TYPES OF POLICE WEAPONRY PLANNING ARE DISCUSSED: CLASSIC AND REACTIVE PLANNING AND AN ALTERNATIVE CALLED PROACTIVE WEAPONRY PLANNING (PWP). COLLECTION OF DATA ON AGENCY NEEDS AND WEAPON CAPABILITY IS EXPLAINED.
Abstract
CLASSICAL WEAPONRY PLANNING, WHICH ATTEMPTS TO MATCH WEAPON CAPABILITIES TO DEPARTMENTAL NEEDS, IS CALLED UNWORKABLE BECAUSE ATTEMPTS TO GATHER DATA ARE HAMPERED BY FRAGMENTED SUPPLY SOURCES, INSUFFICIENT ANALYSIS OF NEED, AND LACK OF DATA ON WEAPONRY EFFECTIVENESS. AS A RESULT, MOST PLANNING TODAY IS OF THE REACTIVE TYPE. DECISIONS ARE BASED ON HARDWARE DEMONSTRATIONS, ANTICIPATED NEEDS, AND SUBJECTIVE FACTORS. PWP BASES THE ANALYSIS OF WEAPONRY NEEDS ON A COMBINATION OF FACTORS: AGENCY ROLE, CONFRONTATIONAL NEEDS, AND EXTRAAGENCY AND INTRAAGENCY FORCES, THE DIFFERING WEAPONS NEEDS OF A SERVICE-ORIENTED POLICE DEPARTMENT, A PEACEKEEPING DEPARTMENT, AND A PARAMILITARISTIC LAW ENFORCEMENT DEPARTMENT ARE CONTRASTED. DETERMINING THE DEPARTMENT'S GOAL IS EXPLAINED. ANALYSIS OF CONFRONTATIONAL NEEDS IS THEN EXPLAINED AND DATA REQUIRED FOR ANALYSIS IS REVIEWED. SUCH ANALYSIS MUST CONSIDER OFFICER TRAINING AND RESPONSE TO SITUATIONS, THE TYPES OF PATROL ENGAGED IN, THE TACTICAL CONSTRAINTS IMPOSED BY GEOGRAPHICAL AND SOCIOLOGICAL FACTORS, AND PERSONNEL CONSIDERATIONS. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT DATA ON ASSAULTS UPON OFFICERS AND USE OF WEAPONS BE GATHERED TO AID IN SUCH DECISIONS. THE MATCHING OF WEAPONRY CRITERIA TO NEEDS IS THEN DISCUSSED IN DETAIL. THIS DISCUSSION COVERS SIDEARMS, HOLSTERS AND LEATHER, LONG ARMS, IMPACT WEAPONS, AND CHEMICAL AGENTS. SPECIAL WEAPONS NEEDS OF SPECIAL UNITS ARE BRIEFLY CONSIDERED. (GLR)