NCJ Number
191271
Journal
Police: The Law Enforcement Magazine Volume: 25 Issue: 7 Dated: July 2001 Pages: 16-17,20
Date Published
July 2001
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the role, technical features, and use of bean bags and rubber bullets as less-lethal projectiles for use by police in dangerous situations involving armed individuals.
Abstract
Standard less-lethal tools such as the baton and pepper spray are of limited practical use, because they require police offers to be near the suspect and the weapon. Police agencies should use proactive approaches to focus on likely challenges before a crisis occurs, clearly define agency expectations for handling dangerous situations, create policy and training that support the expectations, and require all officers to act as they are trained. Bean bags and rubber bullets aim to stop potentially dangerous suspects from a safe distance without causing death or serious injury. The bean-bag round is the most common less-lethal system used today. The 12-gauge pump shotgun with shots directed at the arms, legs, and buttocks have safely incapacitated many persons in recent years. Officers need training on how to resolve critical incidents in a way that incapacitates the suspect while reducing the officer’s jeopardy. Photographs and table