NCJ Number
59021
Date Published
1979
Length
0 pages
Annotation
TWENTY-ONE REENACTMENTS OF ACTUAL SITUATIONS INVOLVING DEADLY FORCE AND SHOOTING DECISIONS ARE ILLUSTRATED IN THIS FILM FOR POLICE OFFICERS.
Abstract
IN EACH OF THE 21 ENCOUNTERS, A POLICE OFFICER IS DISPATCHED TO THE SCENE OF A REPORTED DISTURBANCE WHERE HE WILL HAVE TO MAKE THE CRITICAL DECISIONS OF WHETHER OR NOT TO SHOOT AND WHEN. IN EACH CASE, THE VIEWER IS REQUIRED TO ASSUME THE ROLE OF THE OFFICER IN THE ACTION; AT NO TIME DOES THE FILM INDICATE WHAT WOULD CONSTITUTE A JUSTIFIABLE SHOOTING SITUATION. ADDITIONALLY, THE ENCOUNTERS ARE PRESENTED IN 'REAL TIME' AND WITH CORRECT VISUAL PERSPECTIVE. SOME OF THE SITUATIONS PRESENTED IN THIS FILM INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: A POLICE OFFICER IS CALLED TO THE SCENE OF A DOMESTIC ARGUMENT WHERE THE DISTRAUGHT WOMAN SUDDENLY REVEALS THE GUN HIDDEN IN HER ROBE; A BOY RESPONDS TO A POLICE OFFICER'S COMMAND TO STOP RIDING HIS BICYCLE ON THE SIDEWALK BY REACHING FOR A GUN AND FIRING; POLICE ENCOUNTER A 'VAGRANT' WALKING ON THE RAILROAD TRACKS WHO SUDDENLY REACHES INTO HIS COAT TO DISPLAY A CARD ENSCRIBED 'DEAF DUMB'; REPORTS OF A DISTURBANCE IN A DESERTED WAREHOUSE BRING POLICE TO THE SCENE, WHERE THEY ABRUPTLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY DISCOVER THAT THE CAUSE OF THE SUDDEN COMMOTION BEHIND THEM IS JUST CHILDREN PLAYING; A MOTORIST, STOPPED FOR A MINOR TRAFFIC VIOLATION, PULLS A GUN OUT OF THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT MERELY TO SHOW THAT IT IS REGISTERED; AND A POLICE OFFICER, DISPATCHED TO THE SCENE OF REPORTEDLY SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES IN A HOME, FINDS A MAN, HOLDING A GUN OVER THE STILL FORM OF A WOMAN, WHO SUDDENLY RAISES THE GUN AND PROCEEDS TO REPORT HER SUICIDE. IN EACH OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES SHOWN IN THIS FILM, THE ACTUAL POLICE OFFICERS SURVIVED. (WJR)