Challenges for the Police



Challenges for the Police

Background

Police use of deadly force became a central theme in U.S. policing after officers began carrying firearms in the 1850s. Since then, many police departments have prescribed the circumstances under which deadly force could be used. Such departmental policies and regulations largely followed the legal traditions for justifiable use of force. These traditions could be traced back to the early middle Ages, when virtually all felonies were punishable by the death penalty; consequently, killing those fleeing from suspected serious crimes was viewed as appropriate and acceptable. As a result, police use of deadly force ...