NCJ Number
139619
Journal
Police Journal Volume: 65 Issue: 4 Dated: (October-December 1992) Pages: 297-307
Date Published
1992
Length
11 pages
Annotation
The use of the standard police truncheon by British officers is examined in the context of daily policing needs in a multicultural society and the availability of other types of defensive and offensive equipment.
Abstract
Although it has been in use since the mid-1800's, the effectiveness of the standard police truncheon has often been debated among British and police experts of other countries. While the Scarman Inquiry of 1975 determined that every officer has the right to self-defense and to use, when necessary, sufficient force to deter attacks by the use of approved weapons, the use of the police truncheon is generally considered a tactic of last resort. The British police federation has consistently opposed using the side- handled baton with which Canadian and U.S. officers are equipped. The author reviews the advantages and drawbacks of other defense police equipment including Oleoresin Capsicum, an extract of cayenne pepper which is employed as a key ingredient of an aerosol spray, and Cap-Stun, an organically-based aerosol spray capable of instant effect with no lasting injury. 29 notes