NCJ Number
194691
Date Published
2002
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This chapter reviews the literature and statistical evidence regarding the police use of force.
Abstract
The author's conclusions regarding what is known about the police use of force are categorized as what is known with "substantial confidence," what is known with "modest confidence," and "what we do not know about police use of force." What is known with "substantial confidence" is that police use force infrequently; police use of force typically occurs at the lower end of the force spectrum, which involves grabbing, pushing, or shoving; and use of force typically occurs when police are trying to make an arrest and the suspect is resisting. There is "modest" evidence that police use of force is unrelated to an officer's personal characteristics such as age, gender, and ethnicity; the use of force is more likely to occur when police are dealing with persons under the influence of alcohol or drugs or with mentally ill individuals (more research is needed); and a small proportion of officers are disproportionately involved in use-of-force incidents (more research is needed). Regarding what is not known about police use of force, the author concludes that research is critically needed to determine reliably, validly, and precisely how often police transgressions of use-of-force power occur. Further, research is critically needed to determine the impact of differences in police organizations -- including administrative policies, hiring, training, discipline, and use of technology -- on the excessive and illegal use of force. Finally, influences of situational characteristics on police use of force and the transactional nature of these events are largely unknown; more research is necessary. 2 references and 24 notes