Use of Force
The Use of Force topic provides news, information and training on one of the most commonly discussed areas in police training programs. Learn how to educate your community about use of force, the risks unarmed individuals pose and more.
It’s a safety measure that protects not only officers but citizens and property too
The Supreme Court recently agreed to hear Barnes v. Felix, a case that could redefine how officers’ split-second decisions are judged
The Barnes v. Felix case brings a federal circuit split to the Supreme Court, challenging whether deadly force should be judged at the “moment of threat” or under a broader “totality of circumstances” approach
Of the nearly 50,000 annual crisis-related calls for service, the San Francisco Police Department used force only 51 times
A new video from the National Police Association urges the public to cooperate with lawful orders to help avoid use-of-force incidents
Eighth Circuit rejects officer’s qualified immunity defense and finds continuous TASER deployment unnecessary, excessive and a violation of clearly established law
The lawsuit claims the law, which took effect in March, violates officers’ rights to self-defense
Three justices dissented and accused their colleagues of avoiding a potentially controversial case
This technique is so named because of the ease at which you can place a person under arrest in a position to be handcuffed and controlled
The law barred NYPD officers from restraining people “in a manner that compresses the diaphragm”
A recent 10th Circuit case highlights the high level of difficulty in proving law enforcement failure to train
Having a toolbox filled with effective tools to instantly stop and/or discourage resistance can de-escalate many a situation
Synchronizing data with high-speed video programs provides a better understanding of the nature of pre-assault, assault and post-assault dynamics
The change involves language about “deadly force” used in a previous policy that had been adopted less than a month ago
Court also rejects lower court use of freeze-frame “screen shots,” ruling that it amounts to “20/20 hindsight and second-guessing” of officer split-second decision to shoot
The scenarios, which are based on real-life situations, range from an actual use-of-force situation to a de-escalation using verbal communication
Among the charges are second-degree murder and manslaughter
Training in de-escalation, duty to intercede and other tactics, as well as improved communication between LEOs, can help contribute to improved pre-force actions
AG Letitia James said the bill would amend the current law “from one of simple necessity to one of absolute last resort”
Ronald Greene’s family has filed a lawsuit claiming that troopers covered up his cause of death in the May 2019 arrest
“There was nothing on its face that was illegal,” the judge said. “The detention of a suspect is not a criminal act”
Former Brooklyn Center Officer Kim Potter, who is charged with second-degree manslaughter, will stand trial Dec. 6
Did incident circumstances, including the concept of inattentional blindness, result in an officer’s inability to see the suspect drop his gun?
Current threats dictate evolving response strategies
A jury found Officer William Ben Darby guilty after about two hours of deliberations, returning a verdict that left local police “in the first stages of shock”
Learning to apply this hold short of pressure also means it can be used as a tactically superior escort hold
These techniques can’t be learned through casual viewing or assimilation. They can only be learned and maintained through repetition
The bill already passed the Senate, but the two chambers will likely head to conference after the House added amendments
More than 20 states have considered bills this year to share disciplinary records of police officers, while about 20 states still largely prohibit their release
Qualified immunity is not dependent on the officer using the best tactic and when applied, does not mean the officer is immune from criticism
“I could see the grip of a pistol in his waistband and saw he was reaching for it with his right hand while backing away from us.”
The deceased’s family viewed some portion of the body camera footage Monday afternoon
