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.
While it’s easy to rely on established case law, officers and legal professionals must avoid a one-size-fits-all approach
When an officer has “sufficient time to comprehend that a suspect was subdued,” continued force is unreasonable, but officers are given leeway to assess the threat level
The court ruled the officers’ use of force, aimed at stopping an armed driver who had shot a police K-9 and his handler, was not excessive
All three of Officer Joseph Mensah’s shootings since 2015 were ruled justified
A suspect fired off shots at a community event attended by hundreds, police said
This case might present a good training scenario to reinforce the task of assessing the existence of an immediate threat
The court ordered the disclosure of secret immunized officer grand jury testimony to defense lawyers and police chiefs
Protesters injured by police filed a lawsuit in August alleging that their First Amendment free speech rights were violated
Bodycam footage shows the fatal shooting of Fred Williams III, who was killed during a foot pursuit last month
The man refused several commands to drop the weapon, bodycam video indicates
How do we prevent agencies, courts and communities from presuming inconsistencies between a report and video evidence means an officer is lying?
Understanding the concerns of both community advocates and officers is key to working through many issues in policing
Where discretionary time and tactical circumstances permit, giving a warning before using force is essential
Officials said the man ran from police and fired a shot at officers before police returned fire
The lawsuit is a counterclaim to a civil complaint that Kenneth Walker filed against Louisville Police
San Diego police said the man had been using the rod to smash windows and items
Bodycam video of Chicago police fatally shooting a man who stabbed a sergeant is a brutal reminder of the dangers officers face
The centerpiece of the rollout is “Priority-Ranked Video Audit” software, which uses AI to quickly identify “needle in the haystack” events among hours of bodycam footage
Bodycam video shows a man with a handgun ran from officers through the drugstore aisles
Crowds turned violent overnight after police shot and killed a knife-wielding man Monday
In the struggle to physically control a person, officers must not erroneously mistake unconsciousness for compliance
The officer committed “multiple policy and procedure violations,” Waukegan Police Chief Wayne Walles said
The incident unfolded as officers were responding to a suspicious vehicle call, police said
Some critics say the city is “piling on” a police force that has been under a microscope over the fatal arrest of Elijah McClain
The former Minneapolis cop is still facing a second-degree murder charge in George Floyd’s death
Sgt. Jonathan Mattingly gave his first interview since the incident in an exclusive with ABC News and the Louisville Courier Journal
Police Chief Arradondo said he’s “excited and encouraged” by the offer, which would provide training to reduce excessive force incidents
The shooting came minutes after the suspect had carjacked a woman at knifepoint, San Francisco Police said
District Attorney David Hoovler said he “believes the grand jury made the right decision”
When law enforcement practices become political fodder, both officers and civilians lose
Authorities said the man ignored commands and “aggressively” approached the deputy with his arm behind his back
Agency officials said the community has made it “very clear” it wants a different police response when “there is a possibility of using serious force”
The suspect was found with a loaded handgun after he was fatally shot by police, authorities said
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