🚦Police and Society Unit 10 – Police Use of Force

What's This Unit About?

• Examines the complex issue of police use of force in law enforcement
• Explores the legal, ethical, and practical considerations surrounding when and how police officers employ force
• Investigates the various types of force used by police, ranging from verbal commands to lethal force
• Discusses the training and decision-making processes that guide officers in using force appropriately
• Analyzes the controversies and public perceptions surrounding high-profile incidents of police use of force
• Considers the mechanisms for ensuring accountability and oversight in cases of excessive or unjustified force
• Assesses the impact of police use of force on relations between law enforcement and the communities they serve

Key Concepts and Definitions

• Use of force continuum outlines the escalating levels of force that officers may employ in response to a situation
  • Includes officer presence, verbal commands, empty-hand control, less-lethal weapons, and lethal force
• Reasonable force is the level of force that an objectively reasonable officer would use under the same circumstances
• Excessive force occurs when an officer uses more force than is necessary or justified in a given situation
• Deadly force involves the use of force that is likely to cause death or serious bodily injury
• De-escalation techniques are strategies used by officers to reduce the intensity of a situation and avoid the need for force
• Implicit bias refers to unconscious attitudes or stereotypes that can affect an officer's perceptions and actions
• Procedural justice focuses on the fairness and transparency of the processes by which police make decisions and interact with the public

Legal Framework and Policies

• Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects against unreasonable searches and seizures, including the use of excessive force
• Graham v. Connor (1989) established the "objective reasonableness" standard for evaluating police use of force
  • Considers the severity of the crime, the immediate threat to safety, and the suspect's resistance or flight
• Tennessee v. Garner (1985) ruled that deadly force may only be used when an officer reasonably believes it is necessary to prevent the escape of a suspect who poses a significant threat of death or serious physical injury
• Police departments establish use of force policies that provide guidelines and procedures for officers
  • Policies often incorporate the use of force continuum and emphasize de-escalation techniques
• International human rights standards, such as the United Nations Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials, provide additional guidance on the use of force

Types of Force and When They're Used

• Verbal commands are the first level of force, used to gain compliance and control a situation
• Empty-hand control techniques include soft techniques (joint locks, pressure points) and hard techniques (strikes, takedowns)
  • Used when a suspect is actively resisting or posing a threat
• Less-lethal weapons, such as batons, pepper spray, and Tasers, are designed to incapacitate a suspect without causing death or serious injury
  • Deployed when empty-hand control is ineffective or when a suspect is armed with a weapon other than a firearm
• Lethal force, typically involving firearms, is used as a last resort when there is an imminent threat of death or serious bodily harm to the officer or others
• The use of force continuum provides a framework for escalating and de-escalating force based on the suspect's actions and the threat level

Training and Decision-Making

• Police officers undergo extensive training on the use of force, including scenario-based exercises and de-escalation techniques
• Decision-making models, such as the OODA Loop (Observe, Orient, Decide, Act), help officers quickly assess situations and choose appropriate responses
• Stress inoculation training prepares officers to make decisions under high-stress conditions
• Cultural competency training helps officers understand and interact effectively with diverse communities
• Officers are taught to consider factors such as the suspect's actions, the presence of weapons, and the potential for harm to bystanders when deciding to use force
• Continuous training and education are essential for ensuring that officers maintain proficiency in the use of force and adapt to evolving best practices

Controversies and Public Perception

• High-profile incidents of police use of force, particularly against minorities, have sparked public outrage and calls for reform
  • Examples include the deaths of Michael Brown (Ferguson, MO), Eric Garner (New York City), and George Floyd (Minneapolis, MN)
• Disproportionate use of force against communities of color has fueled perceptions of systemic racism in policing
• Media coverage and citizen-recorded videos have increased public scrutiny of police actions
• Controversies surrounding the use of less-lethal weapons, such as Tasers and rubber bullets, have raised questions about their safety and effectiveness
• Public opinion surveys reveal a significant divide in perceptions of police use of force along racial and political lines
• Balancing the need for public safety with concerns about excessive force and racial bias remains an ongoing challenge

Accountability and Oversight

• Internal affairs divisions within police departments investigate allegations of misconduct, including excessive force
• Civilian oversight boards, composed of community members, provide external review of police actions and complaints
• Body-worn cameras have been adopted by many departments to increase transparency and accountability
  • Footage from these cameras can be used as evidence in investigations and court proceedings
• Criminal charges against officers for excessive force are relatively rare, but high-profile cases have resulted in convictions (e.g., Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd)
• Civil lawsuits brought by victims or their families can result in monetary damages and policy changes
• Department of Justice investigations and consent decrees can mandate reforms in police departments with patterns of misconduct

Impact on Police-Community Relations

• Incidents of excessive force can erode public trust in the police and damage community relations
• Communities that experience disproportionate use of force may be less likely to cooperate with police investigations and report crimes
• Strained police-community relations can hinder effective policing and public safety efforts
• Community policing strategies, which emphasize partnerships and problem-solving, can help rebuild trust
• Transparency and accountability in use of force incidents are essential for maintaining public confidence in law enforcement
• Addressing implicit bias and promoting diversity within police departments can improve interactions with communities of color
• Collaborative efforts between police and community leaders to develop solutions and promote mutual understanding are crucial for repairing and strengthening relations