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.
Officers want more frequent, realistic and integrated training, but agencies continue to fall short
The 11th Circuit ruled deputies did not use excessive force in shooting Joseph Heid, who shot at officers during a domestic violence call
New York City Police Commissioner Theodore Roosevelt’s words resonate for law enforcement today as much as they did a century ago
The man was involved in a crash before shooting a bystander who approached to offer help
The man had allegedly told police, “You’re gonna have to shoot her or shoot me”
This was the last of three trials in the death of McClain; a police officer was convicted of homicide and third-degree assault, while two officers were acquitted
The jury considered second-degree murder charges against officers Matthew Collins and Christopher “Shane” Burbank, and manslaughter charges against Officer Timothy Rankine, as well as Collins and Burbank
Sergeant M. Valle fatally shot a suspected burglar after being severely wounded by multiple gunshots at point-blank range
The 2022 shooting left both officers wounded; one has not returned to police work
The man was being pursued by deputies when he crashed his vehicle, injuring a motorcyclist; he then tried to stab the motorcyclist with a six inch blade
“If we do not start policing our kids at their developmental age versus their chronological age, they are going to continue to get hurt,” a trainer warned officers. “And so are you”
One suspect was killed in a shootout with officers and the other was arrested; the victim was uninjured and one officer sustained a non-life threatening injury
The officer, who has not been identified, suffered multiple gunshot wounds to the legs and torso
Body camera footage shows the officer instructing the man to put his hands on a wooden fence when he suddenly turned, pulled the tool from his pocket and ran toward the officer
Officers fired shots at the man to defend themselves from the suspect who was armed with metal scissors measuring more than 6 inches
The suspect was fatally shot by LAPD officers after trying to force his way into a police unit
“We couldn’t spend too much time negotiating and risk the safety of the child,” Lt. Jennifer Kohrell said. “The actions of the officer saved the child’s life”
Successes during Robert Luna’s term as sheriff include a drop in officer-involved shootings and other use-of-force incidents; he says the work has just begun
Officers Jonathan Horlock and Nathaniel Schauwecker were aquitted of several charges in the arrest of two George Floyd protestors
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell condemned the decision, saying the policy violations were clear and the discipline commensurate with the seriousness of the incident
Retired Lt. Dan Marcou was sitting at a picnic table eating a chili dog with his grandkids when a lone officer started pursuing a suspect on foot; the officer radioed for assistance, but Marcou ran to help
Michael Owen Jr.'s defense attorneys held that he was acting in self-defense when he shot William Green in 2020
Chief Michel Moore agreed with an internal force review board that said the officers had “sufficient time to contact” the Mental Evaluation Unit
The court ruled that the law’s language was not unclear and it did not conflict with pre-existing laws surrounding chokeholds
A recent case involving law enforcement provides an opportunity for a closer look
EMS and law enforcement collaborative training helps prepare responders to treat and monitor patients experiencing a constellation of symptoms
The appellate court began its analysis by noting that a charging vehicle can be a deadly weapon
The May incident led to an officer being fired and charged, as well as increased de-escalation training at the department
The jury could have convicted Nathan Woodyard on charges of either manslaughter or negligent homicide, but it found him not guilty of both
“I need to make sure that I have someone whose primary job is to take a look at use-of-force incidents and examine them thoroughly,” Sheriff John Nowels said
Union President Steve Slack said officers are “doing an exemplary job in improving mental health call outcomes and no amount of cherry-picking data can take away from that fact”
The district attorney labeled the deputy’s decision to jump into the suspect vehicle as “unusual,” but said that his use of force was necessary
Uses of force captured on video can be misinterpreted, exposing officers and agencies to significant civil and criminal liability. Are you providing the best evidence?
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