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
Leadership investigated the incident and handed down a one-day suspension, but town commissioners increased the punishment
“The public has access to this product and can use it against us. You have to know how to defend against it.”
A woman, who was pulled over for tailgating, refused orders to get out of the vehicle, roll down her windows or provide officers with insurance and driver’s license information
“This first-hand experience is intended to give the participants information so they can formulate an opinion of law enforcement action based on their own opinion and not the perception or beliefs of others.”
Interim Police Chief Michael Sullivan said there is an increasing level of violence within the community
“It’s teaching officers how to effectively control suspects on the ground who may be noncompliant.”
The investigation was opened after deaths in county jails hit a two-decade high last year and other allegations of excessive use of force surfaced
The updated training emphasizes the role of a safety officer, who is supposed to monitor breathing and other vital signs of the person under restraint
Last month, two deputies were charged with civil rights violations in the arrest of a man outside a convenience store that was caught on video
Video evidence “proves” only what occurred, not what was perceived
Officers hit suspect several times with bean bag rounds and used a TASER twice but they did not have any effect
Suspect had already shot a woman in the apartment and wounded one officer
Suspect struck in head with butt of shotgun while reaching for what was later determined to be a replica gun
During testing, officers found the TASER 10 to be much more intuitive and easier to use than firearms or legacy TASERs
Six officers already have been fired and one more has been relieved of duty following Nichols’ death
“Officers should have an hour of hands-on training a week.”
EMTs Robert Long and JaMicheal Sandridge “failed to conduct an adequate patient assessment of Mr. Nichols,” according to a fire department statement
Two more Shelby County Sheriff’s deputies were relieved of duty after the release of the bodycam and surveillance videos
The videos have been made public one day after five Memphis police officers were charged with murder in the death of Tyre Nichols
The Memphis police chief has called the actions of five officers involved in the arrest “heinous, reckless and inhumane”
Zack King and Levi White were charged with using excessive force during an August 2022 arrest
The motion was filed days after a jury awarded Lt. Caron Nazario less than $4K in a lawsuit in which he had sought more than $1 million
$85M in damages was thrown out after a judge said the jury may have been influenced by outside factors such as sympathy for Lucky Phounsy’s family or anger at the sheriff’s department
The officers were fired for excessive use of force, failure to intervene and failure to render aid stemming from an arrest during a traffic stop of a man who later died in a hospital
Lt. Caron Nazario sued the officers for claims of assault and battery, false imprisonment and illegal search during a 2020 traffic stop
This is a complicated area of law that deserves greater treatment in training curricula
In one of the officer-involved shootings, the chief said officers failed to call for a specially trained mental health team during an interaction with a man in crisis
The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, all five Montgomery County Constable Offices and the Montgomery County Fire Marshal’s Office will now be equipped with the BolaWrap 150
A review of use of force issues, including the carotid restraint and other force options that have been constrained or discontinued, plus innovations and options for the future
What’s the long-term impact of Armstrong v. Pinehurst? A study indicates some agencies reacted by altering policy in such a way that may have led to increased officer-involved shootings
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