Résumé
"Less lethal weapons provide an alternative to lethal force in conflict situations. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) adopted the use of less lethal weapons in the early to mid 1990's and has since modified its Incident Management Intervention Model to reflect and consider these new use of force options. Nevertheless, the RCMP's use of less lethal weapons is a controversial topic, socially, ethically, legally, and philosophically. This paper examines the use of less lethal weapons in the context of modern conflict analysis and management theory and provides an analysis that will enhance the understanding of conflict management in police related situations. By examining a series of conflict scenarios at a deeper level, this papers aims to demonstrate how an understanding of conflict theory applies to this subject and supports the use of less lethal weapons in the daily policing duties of a RCMP officer. Additionally, the paper will reveal how conflict theory enlightens police officers' responses to situations that may require the deployment of force, from officer presence and verbal intervention through to the use of lethal force. The intent of the RCMP's use of less lethal weapons is to minimize injuries and save lives."--Abstract.