Note
"This Research in Brief is based primarily on “A Multi-Method Evaluation
of Police Use of Force Outcomes,” final report to the National Institute of
Justice, July 2010, NCJ 231176, available online at http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/231176.pdf."
Author(s) affiliated with: Geoffrey P. Alpert - University of South Carolina; Michael R. Smith, J.D. - Georgia Southern University; Robert J. Kaminski - University of South Carolina; Lorie A. Fridell - University of South Florida; John MacDonald - University of Pennsylvania; Bruce Kubu - Police Executive Research Forum.
Summary
This study looked at injuries
that occur to law enforcement
officers and citizens
during use-of-force events.
Most applications of force
are minimal, with officers
using their hands, arms or
bodies to push or pull against
a suspect to gain control.
Officers are also trained
to use various other force
techniques and weapons to
overcome resistance. These
include less-lethal weapons
such as pepper spray, batons
or conducted energy devices
(CEDs) such as Tasers. They
can also use firearms to
defend themselves or others
against threats of death or
serious bodily injuries.