24 research outputs found

    The Sanctity of Human Life: An Examination of the Effects of Education and Training of Less-lethal Force Option Devices in the Royal Thai Police

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    Under Article III of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights, everyone has the right to life, liberty, and security. It is the duty of law enforcement to protect and respect these rights. The Royal Thai Police (RTP) patrol officers carry firearms as lethal weapons on their duty belts, similar to police officers in the United States (US). However, firearms are the only force option available to the RTP in stark contrast to the options police officers in the US have when they encounter resistance from suspects. For the RTP, conducted energy devices (CED) and oleoresin capsicum (OC) sprays are not readily available to use, if necessary, as less-lethal force options before resorting to firearms. This study utilized classic experimental research to determine if a specific intervention had an effect on the RTP participants\u27 behaviors and attitudes in the use of less-lethal force options during virtual use of force simulation scenarios. The 8-hour intervention course provided the RTP with knowledge and skills to improve officers\u27 decision-making and understanding of less-lethal force options. In pre- and post-intervention virtual use of force simulation scenarios, CEDs and OC spray were available on the officers\u27 duty belts when they encountered threats. This quantitative research study utilized an experimental design, survey, and evaluation process. The research questions examined changes in officers\u27 behaviors and attitudes in the use of less-lethal force options between pre- and post-intervention simulations. The results indicated a statistically significant difference in the officers’ behaviors and attitudes in the use of less-lethal force options, emphasizing the principles of the sanctity of human life

    Taser use on individuals experiencing mental distress: an integrative literature review

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    Introduction Conducted electrical weapons, or ‘Tasers’, are currently used by over 15,000 law enforcement and military agencies worldwide. There are concerns regarding the effectiveness, potential for harm, and overuse with people experiencing mental distress. Aim To explore the literature about police use of Tasers with people experiencing mental distress. Method An integrative review was undertaken and qualitative and quantitative analytical approaches were used. Results Thirty‐one studies were included. Of all recorded usage, overall prevalence of Taser use on people experiencing mental distress was 28%. This population may require a greater number of shocks to subdue them than other people. Discussion There are substantial gaps in the research literature particularly with respect to the decision‐making processes involved in deploying Tasers on this population and the physical and psychological consequences of Taser use in this context. Implications for practice Police use of Tasers in mental health crises is relatively common, and occurs in a variety of environments including mental health settings. Mental health professionals need to work with police towards greater understanding of the needs of people with mental illness, and to promote the use of non‐coercive interventions in mental health crisis events

    2020 - The First Annual Fall Symposium of Student Scholars

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    The full program book from the Fall 2020 Symposium of Student Scholars, held on December 3, 2020. Includes abstracts from the presentations and posters.https://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/sssprograms/1022/thumbnail.jp

    Asphyxial Death During Prone Restraint Revisited: A Report of 21 Cases

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    Abstract Determining the cause of death when a restrained person suddenly dies is a problem for death investigators. Twenty-one cases of death during prone restraint are reported as examples of the common elements and range of variation in these apparently asphyxial events. A reasonable diagnosis of restraint asphyxia can usually be made after ruling out other causes and collecting supportive participant and witness statements in a timely fashion. Common elements in this syndrome include prone restraint with pressure on the upper torso; handcuffing, leg restraint, or hogtying; acute psychosis and agitation, often stimulant drug induced; physical exertion and struggle; and obesity. Establishing a temporal association between the restraint and the sudden loss of consciousness/death is critical to making a correct determination of cause of death. The sudden, unexpected death of an individual while in police custody is always a matter of public concern and frequently leads to litigation. Such high-profile deaths often are a diagnostic dilemma for medical examiners or coroners and the forensic pathologists who work with them. The autopsy findings are frequently nonspecific, detailed witness descriptions of the circumstances of the terminal event are often not initially obtained, and accurate accounts are difficult to collect later because of potential litigation. Reports of sudden death of individuals who were restrained prone, many of whom were also hogtied, appeared in the 1990s (1-5). The term hogtying is used in this paper to refer to the restraint of a person in a prone position with their wrists and ankles bound together behind the back. Based on such reports, many members of the law enforcement community have discussed the problem of sudden death during restraint procedures, and many have attempted to modify or eliminate the use of the hogtied prone position; however, sudden deaths during prone restraint continue to occur. We present the previously unreported sudden deaths of 21 individuals who die

    A Phenomenological Study: Police Officers’ Lived Experiences with the Use of CEDs

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    The use of conducted energy devices (CEDs; e.g., TASER) in the U.S. has increased significantly since their endorsement by the police in the 1990s. Police administrators have struggled with CED placement in use of force continuums, and citizens have voiced concerns regarding their disproportionate use and health effects. An increase in understanding of the value of CEDs, specifically the devices’ role when used as a threat only, provides police administrators with more significant insights regarding their appropriate placement in department policies, which leads to more proportionate use by police officers. This phenomenological study explored police officers’ lived experiences involving displaying and threatening the use of CEDs on noncompliant individuals. The theoretical foundation of this study was prospect theory. Participants consisted of a purposive sample of five police officers from a municipal police department in Florida who used CEDs. Data were collected from semi structured interviews. The data were coded and analyzed by using a modification of the Van Kaam method of analysis as presented in Moustakas. Findings were presented in the form of five themes. Findings showed police officers perceived the TASER to be an effective tool in achieving compliance when used as a threat. Recommendations include developing further studies involving the inclusion of a warning stage in use of force continuums. The findings advance positive social change by providing policymakers additional insights into the value of CEDs and assisting them with determining their proper placement in the departments’ use of force policies. Proper CED placements in force continuums could result in a more balanced use of the devices and to a decrease in injuries to citizens

    Physiological Responses in Reindeer to the Application of a Conducted Electrical Weapon

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    Conducted Electrical Weapons (CEWs) have potential as effective alternatives to chemical restraint for short-term non-routine capture and handling as well as aversion hazing of wildlife. To assess immediate and delayed physiologic effects of exposure to a CEW, we assigned 15 captive reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) to one of three treatment groups: immobilized with carfentanil and xylazine (CX), 10 second exposure to a CEW, or exposure to the CEW while immobilized with CX (CEW+CX). Blood samples were collected pre-treatment, immediately post-intervention, 10 min, 20 min, 4 hours, and 24 hours post-intervention. Physiologic effects were evaluated by analysis of blood, clinical observation for signs of physiologic compromise, and vital signs. Parameters that changed significantly (P \u3c 0.05) post-exposure (lactate, glucose, rectal temperature, blood oxygen, cardiac troponin I, cortisol, and catecholamines) were not significantly different from baseline values within 24 hours. Cortisol, glucose, and peak rectal temperature were lower in CEW exposed individuals, while lactate, oxygen, and catecholamines were higher than for the CX exposed individuals. The catecholamine response observed in the CEW only group paralleled the response in the CEW+CX group. No long term health effects were detected from either restraint method. Use of a CEW does not appear to increase the risk of capture myopathy

    The Psychological Impact of Taser Utilization in Police Officers

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    A substantial body of scientific and medical research has examined the relationship between conductive energy devices and their physical risk to humans. This phenomenological study focused on the psychological impact of Taser utilization in police officers. This research explored how the experience of using a Taser in the line of duty affected officers from the conceptual framework of stress inoculation training and its applicability to Taser certification; the typical mental processes associated with using less-lethal weapons, perceptions of Taser training; and, the preparation provided in training for citizen injuries and deaths. Fifteen officers who had deployed a Taser were included as participants. The sample consisted of 2 randomized groups of 5, and 1 convenience group of 5 officers involved in Taser-related deaths. Data were collected through digitally recorded interviews of the officers\u27 lived experiences. Data were analyzed using a 5-step method of constant comparison to develop and code themed clusters using the officers\u27 own words. Findings showed officers believed the Taser was the best non-lethal device available but they preferred not using a Taser on citizens. In addition, Taser training may not be legally sufficient as defined in relevant court cases. A recommendation is that stress inoculation segments should be included in Taser training courses. Findings indicate Taser-related deaths have the potential to cause extreme stress and trauma in the officers, changing their lives and that of their families forever

    Police Use of Taser in England and Wales, 2004 – 2014.

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    This thesis constitutes one of the first attempts to investigate police use of the electric-shock weapon the Taser in England and Wales, between 2004 – 2014. The research combines an inter-disciplinary approach—drawing on the criminology and policing literature, as well as on Science and Technology Studies (STS), Actor Network Theory (ANT) and Social Psychology—with mixed methods and novel data sources. It benefits from virtually unprecedented access to sources including internal police datasets, the College of Policing’s Lead Instructor Taser Training, Taser training in two forces, interviews with police officers and individuals subject to Taser. The thesis first explores how, and in what circumstances, Taser is used in selected forces in England and Wales, before looking at consequences of use for officers and subjects. It then discusses the broader legal, policy, training and accountability framework around the weapon, via an examination of three inter-related and widespread stories told about the weapon and its regulation: that Taser is a neutral tool, that appropriate use is a responsibility for, and at the discretion of, individual officers, and that it is subject to robust accountability mechanisms. It is argued that these stories, whilst not incorrect, are incomplete. Descriptions of the weapon as a neutral tool are understandable but not always convincing, decisions on its use are not just the preserve of individual officers, and accountability mechanisms are not always as robust as is claimed. The conclusions have implications for practitioners and for the literature on Taser. They also contribute to wider criminology debates around use of force, discretion and accountability, and to sociological debates about the relevance of STS and ANT approaches. Finally, the thesis not only highlights areas for future research, but also highlights some tentative recommendations for policy and practice.Economic and Social Research Counci

    Laguna Beach PD policy manual

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