ADMINISTRATIVE AND LEGAL ASPECTS OF A POLICY TO LIMIT THE USE OF FIREARMS BY POLICE OFFICERS

• NCJ Number: 26136
• Journal: Police Chief Volume: 42 Issue: 1 Dated: (JANUARY 1975) Pages: 48-52
• Author(s): K R MCCREEDY; J L HAGUE
• Date Published: 1975
• Length: 5 pages
• Corporate Author: International Assoc of Chiefs of Police
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

EXAMINATION OF LAWS RELATING TO THE USE OF DEADLY FORCE AND INFLUENCES THAT GROUPS SUCH AS THE POLICE, COURTS, AND CITY GOVERNMENT MAY HAVE ON FIREARMS POLICY DECISIONS; A RESTRICTIVE POLICY IS RECOMMENDED.

Abstract

BEFORE INVESTIGATING THE CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH POLICY DECISIONS CONCERNING FIREARMS USE ARE MADE, THE AVAILABLE POLICY ALTERNATIVES ARE REVIEWED: THESE RANGE FROM FULL DISCRETION OF THE ARMED OFFICER TO REFUSAL TO ALLOW OFFICERS TO CARRY FIRARMS. THERE ARE SEVERAL GROUPS WHO MAY PLAY A PART IN POLICY DECISION MAKING - THE POLICE CHIEF, THE POLICE OFFICERS, THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT, THE COURTS, AND PUBLIC INTEREST GROUPS. THE POSSIBLE INFLUENCE OF EACH OF THESE GROUPS IS DESCRIBED. THE AUTHOR RECOMMENDS A POLICY WHICH SEVERELY LIMITS THE USE OF DISCRETION BUT WHICH ALSO RECOGNIZES THAT EXCEPTIONS ARE POSSIBLE. SUCH A POLICY, THE AUTHOR ARGUES, WOULD GIVE OFFICERS ABSOLUTE GUIDELINES TO FOLLOW AND WOULD ALSO ASSURE THEM OF ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT IF THEY WERE WITHIN THAT POLICY.