Tag: Use-of-Force Policies: Page 14

Patrol

Florida Officer's Drive-by Tasering Results In Man's Death

The Pensacola (Fla.) Police Department is reviewing its policy on the use of less-lethal force, after an officer used a stun gun from his moving patrol car, PNJ.com reports.

October 4, 2009

SWAT

Dog Days of Summer (Part 4): Shooting to Kill

The use of deadly force in certain circumstances is readily justifiable, especially if you've attempted a less-lethal option first. Have a game plan for such eventualities at the outset.

September 16, 2009

SWAT

Dog Days of Summer (Part 3): Less-Lethal vs. Vicious Dogs

Without formal training, police must rely on their preservation instinct and use whatever force is deemed necessary against attacking dogs. While lethal force is acceptable, it's a last resort. There's a less-lethal alternative that's proven effective, one I've personally employed countless times and highly recommend.

September 10, 2009

SWAT

Dog Days of Summer (Part 2): Don't Just Shoot Them

Whenever another "family/friendly" dog is shot by LE, the condemnation by critics is immediate. I believe the days of the "just shoot them" policy are over. And if we don't solve the problem, someone from the outside will do it for us.

September 3, 2009

Patrol

The State of American Law Enforcement - Damned If You Do, Damned If You Don't

Perhaps nowhere in contemporary American society does the question of the right tool for the right job come into play more often than in matters of police use of force.

November 30, 2008

Weapons

San Antonio PD Restricts Use of TASERs

Officers now are prohibited from using the weapons against anyone “known to be under the influence of drugs,” and no more than one officer at a time should use a Taser against a person, according to the new policy.

October 15, 2008

Patrol

The State of American Law Enforcement - Rules of Engagement

In smaller agencies, policy manuals—if they existed—were just a few policy statements. Now there are multiple bound volumes that no officer can be expected to memorize, let alone understand. — Tom Aveni, Police Policy Studies Council

September 30, 2008

Patrol

The State of American Law Enforcement - Women Warriors

Maintaining a balance between one's identity as a woman and as a police officer is never going to be easy. Knowing this, Sgt. Stefani Gombar of the Phoenix PD cherishes one piece of advice she received in the academy from a female officer: "Don't lose yourself."

May 31, 2008

Special Units

The Tactical Use of TASERs

The tactical teams portrayed in the movies and on television typically use an assortment of automatic weapons and high-powered rifles to shoot down terrorists and hostage takers. But those of us in the business know that the vast majority of our missions do not involve the use of deadly force.

November 30, 2007

Training

Will I Get Sued?

Years ago when I was attending my police academy recruit training, one of the many questions my fellow recruits and I pondered was: Will I get sued? In my case, the answer turned out to be, "Yes." And several times at that!

October 31, 2007

Patrol

The Tough Guy: Sheriff Joe Arpaio

At 75, Joe Arpaio is serving his fourth term as sheriff of Maricopa County, Ariz. It's a job he's held for 15 years, much to the delight of the voting population in the Phoenix area and much to the dismay of politically correct, civil liberties advocates who characterize his policies as cruel and the man himself as a dangerous dinosaur.

May 31, 2007

Patrol

Cops vs. Cars

At presstime many things had still not been publicly released regarding the Devin Brown incident. LAPD detectives, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office, and the FBI were all investigating the shooting. So it’s not known where Garcia was standing when he discharged 10 rounds into the Camry. And it’s not known if his use of deadly force was justified.

May 31, 2005