The Need for a Canadian Database of Police Use-of-Force Incidents

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Craig Bennell ◽  
Andrew Steven Brown ◽  
Bryce Jenkins ◽  
Arane-Jade Khanizadeh ◽  
Audrey MacIsaac ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Police Officers ◽  
Use Of Force ◽  
Canadian Society ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Police Use Of Force ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Real Value ◽  
The Creation ◽  
Transparency And Accountability

Concerns surrounding the use of force by police officers appear to be growing, fuelled by perceptions that the police use force too frequently, research showing that force is applied disproportionately to members of certain groups, and the view held by some that the mechanisms for holding police responsible for unjustified force are inadequate. In this paper, we advocate for the creation of a national use-of-force database in Canada to gain a better understanding of these issues, adding our voice to those who have already been actively calling for this. We describe some of the potential benefits that would be associated with such a database, including the fact that it would enhance police transparency and accountability, while also increasing our understanding of when and why force is used and what strategies may be useful for reducing inappropriate applications of force. We also highlight some of the challenges we think would be encountered, including mandating nationwide participation, overcoming resistance from the police community, establishing sensible case inclusion criteria, and standardizing data collection. While these are significant challenges, we believe not only that they are possible to overcome but that doing so will provide real value to Canadian society.

scholarly journals The Structure and Delivery of Police Use of Force Training: A German Case Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mario S. Staller ◽  
Swen Koerner ◽  
Valentina Heil ◽  
Isabel Klemmer ◽  
Andrew Abraham ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Police Officers ◽  
Use Of Force ◽  
Police Training ◽  
Time On Task ◽  
Police Use Of Force ◽  
Training Time ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Constructive Alignment ◽  
Action Capabilities

AbstractThe current study aims to investigate the current structure and delivery of police recruit training. Using a case study approach, we systematically observed a semester of police training that consisted of 30 h with a specific focus on police use of force training. Field notes and time-on-task data was analysed using an inductive approach. The results revealed, first, a lack of constructive alignment of the training modules and learning tasks within the training settings. Second, an adherence to traditional linear approaches to training resulting in high amounts of augmented instruction and feedback and a one-size-fits all approach to technical and tactical behaviour. Third, a non-efficient use of available training time with low amounts of engagement in representatively designed tasks that stimulated problem-solving processes. Based on these results we suggest that there is a need: (a) for police trainers and curriculum designers to align the objectives, practice structure and delivery of police training with the needs of police officers in the field (e.g. conflict resolution); (b) for police trainers to employ more learner-centred pedagogical approaches that account for individual action capabilities and resources, and allow for high amounts of training time with representatively designed training tasks; and (c) for senior managers of overall police training decision-makers to provide the necessary trainer education, in order to furnish trainers with the knowledge and tools to appropriately plan, deliver and reflect upon their practice in keeping with concept of constructive alignment.

scholarly journals Revised findings for "Procedural justice training reduces police use of force and complaints against officers"

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
George Wood ◽  
Tom Tyler ◽  
Andrew V Papachristos ◽  
Jonathan Roth ◽  
Pedro H. C. Sant'Anna
Keyword(s):  
Procedural Justice ◽  
Police Officers ◽  
Use Of Force ◽  
Police Department ◽  
Original Study ◽  
Statistical Problem ◽  
Police Use Of Force ◽  
Chicago Police Department ◽  
Point Estimates ◽  
Chicago Police

Wood et al. (2020) studied the rollout of a procedural justice training program in the Chicago Police Department and found large and statistically significant impacts on complaints and sustained complaints against police officers and police use of force. This document describes a subtle statistical problem that led the magnitude of those estimates to be inflated. We then re-analyze the data using a methodology that corrects for this problem. The re-analysis provides less strong conclusions about the effectiveness of the training than the original study: although the point estimates for most outcomes and specifications are negative and of a meaningful magnitude, the confidence intervals typically include zero or very small effects. On the whole, we interpret the data as providing suggestive evidence that procedural justice training reduced the use of force, but no statistically significant evidence for a reduction in complaints or sustained complaints.

scholarly journals Police use of force: individualistic, situational, and organizational approachPolisin zor kullanmasi: bireysel, durumsal ve organizasyonel yaklaşım

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 1280
Author(s):  
İlyas Özgentürk
Keyword(s):  
Police Officer ◽  
Police Officers ◽  
Complex Structure ◽  
Use Of Force ◽  
Fundamental Rights ◽  
Situational Factors ◽  
Institutional Factors ◽  
Police Culture ◽  
Police Use Of Force ◽  
Physical Strength

<p>While ensuring public safety and fighting against criminals the police are given exceptional powers such as the use of force to protect themselves as well as others in the process of fighting criminals. In a democratic society the limits of the use of force given by the state to the police is regulated by law. Misuse of power by the police, regarding humanitarian concerns, in terms of philosophical dilemmas and political implications has great impact on people. Use of force is defined as; use of physical strength and any equipment in increased proportion to neutralize acts of resistance or attack. The power to use of force is a direct intervention to the fundamental rights and freedoms of persons. Therefore, use of excessive force is considered as a direct violation of human rights. There have been numerous researches and studies about Police use of force. However, the complex structure of use of force, and it association with many factors creates a lot of limitations in this area. Therefore, the researchers have systematized the use of force by the police and focused on situational and institutional factors. Individual factors affecting the use of power and force by the police officers are defined as; The age of the police officer, education level and occupational experience. Regarding situational factors the researchers have focused on characteristics like; type of event that the police officer has encountered the public and the characteristics the suspects. Regarding explaining the Institutional factors it is focused on; the affect of the police culture (subculture) and service delivery philosophy of de unit that the officer is working at.</p><p align="left"> </p><p align="left"><strong>Özet</strong></p><p align="left">Kamunun güvenliğini sağlama ve suçlularla mücadele etme görevini yerine getirirken polise hem kendisini hem de başkalarını koruması ve suçlularla mücadele edebilmesi için zor kullanma gibi bir takım istisnai yetkiler verilmiştir.  Demokratik toplumlarda devletin polise vermiş olduğu zor kullanma yetkisinin sınırları hukuk tarafından düzenlenmiştir. Polisin sahip olduğu gücü suiistimal etmesi insani kaygılar, felsefi ikilemler ve politik sonuçlar açısından halk üzerinde büyük etkilere sahiptir. Zor kullanma; direnme ve saldırı karşısında bu fiilleri etkisiz hale getirecek derecede artan nispette bedeni kuvvet her türlü teçhizatı kullanmak şeklinde tanımlanmaktadır. Zor kullanma yetkisi kişilerin temel hak ve özgürlüklerine doğrudan bir müdahaledir.  Bu nedenle zor kullanma yetkisinin aşılması doğrudan insan hakları ihlali sayılmaktadır. Polisin zor kullanması ile ilgili sayısız araştırmalar ve çalışmalar yapılmıştır.  Ancak, zor kullanmanın kompleks yapısı ve  çok çeşitli nedenlerle ilişkili olmasından dolayı bu alanda oldukça fazla sınırlamalar vardır.  Bu nedenle, araştırmacılar polisin kuvvet kullanmasını sistematize ederek bireysel, durumsal ve kurumsal faktörlerin üzerinde durmuşlardır. Polis memurlarının güç ve kuvvet kullanmasını etkileyen bireysel faktörler; polis memurlarının yaşı, eğitim seviyesi, mesleki tecrübesi gibi karakteristikleri üzerinde durulmuştur. Durumsal faktörler; polislerin halk ile karşı karşıya geldikleri olayların cinsi ve şüphelilerin karakteristikleri üzerinde yoğunlaşmıştır. Kurumsal faktörler; polisin memurlarının görev yaptığı polis biriminin kurumsal kültürü ve hizmet anlayışının etkilerini açıklamaya çalışmaktadır.</p>

scholarly journals Big data and the New Transparency: Measuring and representing police killings

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 205395171769633
Author(s):  
Ben Brucato
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Big Data ◽  
Police Officers ◽  
Use Of Force ◽  
The United States ◽  
Police Violence ◽  
Police Use Of Force

Controversies about recent killings by police officers in the United States have prompted widespread questioning about the scale and changes in police use of force. A perceived lack of transparency about the frequency of police killings amplifies concerns that many such killings are unjustified. This commentary considers efforts by journalists and activists to comprise databases that document and measure police violence, particularly in terms of how these endeavors exemplify the New Transparency.

scholarly journals Considering Objective and Subjective Measures for Police Use of Force Evaluation

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (10) ◽  
pp. 5351
Author(s):  
Paula M. Di Nota ◽  
Jennifer F. Chan ◽  
Juha-Matti Huhta ◽  
Judith P. Andersen
Keyword(s):  
Situation Awareness ◽  
Police Officers ◽  
Subjective Evaluation ◽  
Use Of Force ◽  
Subjective Measures ◽  
Police Use Of Force ◽  
Industry Standard ◽  
Officer Performance ◽  
Objectively Measured ◽  
Over Time

In spite of significant interest in the application of police use of force (UOF) from organisations, researchers, and the general public, there remains no industry standard for how police UOF is trained, and by extension, evaluated. While certain UOF behaviours can be objectively measured (e.g., correct shoot/no shoot decision making (DM), shot accuracy), the subjective evaluation of many UOF skills (e.g., situation awareness, SA) falls to the discretion of individual instructors. The aim of the current brief communication is to consider the operationalisation of essential UOF behaviours as objective and subjective measures, respectively. Using longitudinal data from a sample of Canadian police officers (n = 57) evaluated during UOF training scenarios, we discuss how objective and subjective measures reflect changes in officer performance over time. Objective lethal force DM was measured as a binary ‘correct–incorrect’ outcome and subjective SA was measured on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from ‘unacceptable’ to ‘exceptional’. Subjective evaluation of SA demonstrated significant changes over time, while DM remained relatively high and stable. Given the practical and professional implications of UOF, we recommend that a combination of objective and subjective measures is systematically implemented at all stages of police UOF training and evaluation (i.e., basic, advanced, in-service).

scholarly journals Police Use of Force: Assessing Necessity and Proportionality

2016 ◽  
pp. 663 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin Cyr
Keyword(s):  
Police Officers ◽  
Use Of Force ◽  
Force Model ◽  
Police Use Of Force ◽  
Subjective Beliefs ◽  
Safety Practice

This article seeks to clarify the limits imposed on police use of force. It argues that police use of force must be necessary, proportional and lawful. Police officers’ safety practice often leads them to act on mere suspicion and contradicts with the probability-based thinking required by law — there must be reasonable grounds to warrant the use of force. Therefore, this article proposes an alternative use of force model adopted by the Edmonton Police. The Edmonton model has been successful in guiding police officers to focus on objectively discernible facts to support their subjective beliefs to meet the threshold on the use of force.

Representative Training with Less Risk: The Effects of Non-lethal Training and Conventional Ammunition in Police Use of Force Training on Heart Rate Variability

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 411-425
Author(s):  
Mario S Staller ◽  
Jon C Cole ◽  
Benjamin Zaiser ◽  
Swen Körner
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Police Officers ◽  
Use Of Force ◽  
Active Duty ◽  
Training Design ◽  
Safe Alternative ◽  
Police Use Of Force ◽  
Physiological Load ◽  
Psychophysiological Arousal ◽  
The Impact

Abstract With the goal of preventing unintentional fire-arm death and injury as well as widening the scope of police use of force training design, this study compared the impact of non-lethal training (NLT) ammunition and conventional ammunition (CA) on police officers’ psychophysiological arousal. We assessed heart rate and parasympathetic activity while police officers engaged in a demanding fighting and shooting exercise. Based on previous research, which shows that physiological arousal in representative scenario exercises does not differ from active duty operations, this study tested and corroborated the hypothesis that simulated psychophysiological demand will be the same in using both NLT and CA. Thus, the use of NLT ammunition provides a safe alternative to training the use of issue weapons with CA, equally as representative of the active duty environment of the real world. Furthermore, this study underlines that fighting elicits high levels of physiological load that police officers need to be prepared for.

Camera Point-of-View Exacerbates Racial Bias in Viewers of Police Use of Force Videos

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel L Bailey ◽  
Glenna L Read ◽  
YaoJun Harry Yan ◽  
Jiawei Liu ◽  
David A Makin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Police Officers ◽  
Skin Color ◽  
Racial Bias ◽  
Use Of Force ◽  
Skin Tone ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Police Use Of Force ◽  
Study Participants ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Dark Skin Tone

Abstract The implementation of body-worn cameras (BWC) by policing agencies has received widespread support from many individuals, including citizens and police officers. Despite their increasing prevalence, little is known about how the point-of-view (POV) of these cameras affects perceptions of viewers. In this research, we investigate how POV interacts with skin color of citizens in police use of force videos to affect perceptions of procedural justice. In an experimental study, participants watched eight police use of force videos—half recorded from BWC and half from an onlooker’s perspective—in which skin tone of the citizen varied. Results indicate that POV interacts with citizen skin tone such that, compared to the onlooker perspective, the BWC exacerbated viewer racial bias against dark skin tone citizens. Furthermore, identification with the police officer fully mediated this relationship. Results are discussed in relation to media theory and practical implications.

scholarly journals Strike More, Spend Less?: The Correlation between Opinions on Race Specific Government Spending and Feelings towards Police Use of Force

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olivia Irby
Keyword(s):  
Critical Race Theory ◽  
Black Community ◽  
Adult Male ◽  
Police Officers ◽  
Government Spending ◽  
Use Of Force ◽  
Past Research ◽  
Police Use Of Force ◽  
Bivariate Correlation ◽  
The Relationship

With the foundation of past research on the relationship between indicators of racial prejudice, police use of force and attitudes towards it, I use the General Social Survey (2016) to examine the relationship between feelings on government spending on the Black community and approval of police officers striking an adult male citizen under different circumstances. Using feelings towards government spending on the Black community as an independent variable enables me to interpret the coded and implicit anti-Black sentiments within police practices and approval towards them further. After analyzing a sample of 704 respondents, I found that those who believe that the government is spending too much on the Black community are more likely to approve of a police officer striking an adult male citizen under various circumstances. However, the results of the bivariate correlation and multivariate regression consistently demonstrate that the race of the respondent had the largest effect on respondent's approval of police officers striking citizens, with white respondents being more likely to approve of officers striking citizens under more conditions. These results are consistent with critical race theory, group threat theory and past research; it is pivotal in understanding how color-blind racism effects the extent to which police are held accountable for their actions.

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