NCJ Number
59040
Date Published
1979
Length
0 pages
Annotation
FOR CITIZENS, LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE STUDENTS, THIS 60 MINUTES PRODUCTION PROVIDES INSIGHT INTO POLICE USE OF DEADLY FORCE BY EXAMINING POLICE TRAINING IN THIS AREA.
Abstract
SCENES IN THE FILM PRODUCED BY THE COLUMBIA BROADCASTING SERVICE (CBS) SHOW HARRY REASONER PARTICIPATING IN A SPECIAL POLICE TRAINING TEST IN RIVERSIDE, CALIF., THAT RECREATES THE LIFE-THREATENING SITUATIONS POLICE OFFICERS OFTEN FACE. VIEWERS OBSERVE REASONER PITTING HIMSELF AGAINST VARIOUS CRIMINALS, DEPENDING ON HIS REFLEXES AND TRAINING (FOR OFFICERS) TO DECIDE WHEN TO SHOOT. POLICE ARE TAUGHT TO SHOOT IF A LIFE IS IN DANGER (THE OFFICER'S OR OTHER'S) OR IN PURSUIT OF AN ESCAPEE WHO HAS USED DEADLY FORCE IN THE PAST. SINCE VICTIMS OF POLICE USE OF DEADLY FORCE ARE OFTEN PERCEIVED AS INNOCENT BY THE COMMUNITY, LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES REQUIRE THEIR OFFICERS TO UNDERGO EXTENSIVE TRAINING IN THE LEGAL USE OF DEADLY FORCE, EMPHASIZING STATE AND LOCAL RESTRICTIONS AND COMMUNITY TENSIONS. POLICE IN A HISPANIC NEIGHBORHOOD IN CALIFORNIA, WHICH HAS AN ASSAULT RATE FOUR TIMES THE NATIONAL AVERAGE, ARE INTERVIEWED FOR THEIR REACTIONS ABOUT THE USE OF DEADLY FORCE AND THE RESTRICTIONS UNDER WHICH THEY OPERATE. ONE PATROLMAN IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD, WHO HAS BEEN ATTACKED SEVEN TIMES IN THE PAST, POINTS OUT THE ADVANTAGES OF COMMUNITY RESIDENTS OVER THE POLICE IN TERMS OF SURPRISE, CHOICE OF WEAPONS, AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE ROUTES POLICE TAKE IN PATROLLING THE NEIGHBORHOOD. POLICE INTERVIEWED IN A CLASSROOM SETTING APPEAR SYMPATHETIC TO COMMUNITY PROBLEMS AND THE INHERENT POWER IN THEIR USE OF DEADLY FORCE; ALTHOUGH, OFF SCREEN, SOME OFFICERS COMPLAIN OF A LACK OF SUPPORT IF A 'WRONG' DECISION IS MADE. (WJR)