NCJ Number
89594
Date Published
1983
Length
78 pages
Annotation
After examining civil and criminal liability that may arise from the improper use of the baton, this training manual portrays the 'alternative method' of using the baton for self-defense, and an instrument for evaluating the training is provided, along with criteria for a departmental evaluation system.
Abstract
Civil and criminal liabilities likely to be used against police officers are identified in Federal law, and the legal defenses against such liability - probable cause and good faith - are discussed. Precautionary measures an officer can take to minimize the risk of liability are listed. The techniques of baton self-defense illustrated and described constitute an alternative to the one-hand and port arms methods, which are either unnecessarily dangerous to the officer and the attacker or fail to provide the versatility required to counter an attack. The proposed 'alternative method' of baton self-defense provides each officer with multiple means of resolving dangerous confrontations in a swift, safe, and effective manner. It consists of four positions - the walking, rear rest, front rest, and on-guard positions - from which the officer can respond to any confrontation. The performance-based evaluation corresponds with the training format. Each step of a defense tactic is photographically illustrated and briefly explained.