USAGE OF FORCE

Police Usage of Force

Table of Contents

Abstract4

Introduction5

Problem Statement6

Tennessee v. Garner (1985)6

The Case in the Supreme Court7

1.History7

2.Case Facts7

3.Legal Holdings, Issues, and Principles of the Court8

Comprehensive Policy and Training Program9

Training Curriculum9

Recommended Training Weapons12

Force Usage Policies13

Use of Less Than Lethal and Deadly Force Model Policy13

Procedure14

Force Considerations14

Use of Deadly Force14

Use of Less Lethal Force15

Usage of Force Rules and Regulations15

The Continuum of Force16

Phase 1: Passive Interference16

Phase 2: Verbal Command17

Phase 3: Physical Coercion17

Phase 4: Less then Lethal Force17

Phase 5: Usage of Deadly Force18

Fire Arms Training System (F.A.T.S.)18

Advantages of F.A.T.S. and its Products18

Disadvantages of F.A.T.S. and its Products19

Related Costs19

Conclusion20

References21

Abstract

There have been many cases that report the usage of deadly or less than lethal force by the police officials against the alleged criminals. Many controversial issues rise due to this problem. The case Tennessee v. Garner case of 1985 is of momentous importance within this context. It discussed the killing of a minor teenage boy by the police and resulted in riots and mistrust of the public towards the law enforcement agency. This paper discusses the case in detail while also formulating a comprehensive training policy and curriculum within the context of the case. The officials will be recommended on the weapons that they should carry along, and the use of deadly and less than lethal weapons will be evaluated under different perspectives. The firearms training system F.A.T.S. will also be studied and evaluated. Some recommendations will be made about what kinds of weapons are permissible for these officials and the situations under which they can use them. It is an important area of concern, for it relies on the reliability of the agency as well as the trust of the general public in law enforcement mechanisms.

Police Usage of Force

Introduction

Police officers are responsible to ensure the safety and security of the general public against a range of crimes. They are undoubtedly the control agents of the society. Intrinsically, one of their distinctive attribute is the legitimate authority to use powerful force throughout the demeanor of the obligations that they perform. However any misconduct on the behalf of the police force can certainly not go unpunished. The usage of force against criminals is permissible in the best interests of the citizens. However, a little carelessness on the part of these officials can result in a loss of lives of innocent people. This can, under no circumstances, be permitted in the law of the land. Unlawful use of power and force does not have any positive outcomes on the society. A racial conflict is a special outcome that is common in a setting where the police used a weapon without any justification. Hostility and mistrust in the law enforcement agencies can cause adversities on the society. Due to this a negative effect occurs on the society if the weapons are not being efficiently utilized to control thefts and murders. The criminals deserve to die while the citizens deserve to live and be protected. In this case, the correct usage of deadly and less than lethal force by the ...