Use of Force - Contemporary Issues

Peel's Principles of Policing

Peel's Principles of Policing

A dozen standards proposed by Robert Peel, the author of the legislation resulting in the formation of the London Metropolitan Police Department. The standards are still applicable to today's law enforcement.

Peel Principle 1

"The basic mission for which the police exist is to prevent crime and disorder."

Peel Principle 2

"The ability of the police to perform their duties is dependent upon public approval of police actions."

Peel Principle 3

"Police must secure the willingcooperation of the public in voluntary observance ofthe law to be able to secure and maintain the respectof the public."

Peel Principle 4

"The degree of cooperation of the public that can be secured diminishes proportionately to the necessity of the use of physical force."

Peel Principle 6

"Police use physical force to the extent necessary to secure observance of the law or to restore order only when the exercise of persuasion, advice and warning is found to be insufficient."

Peel Principle 7

"Police, at all times, should maintain a relationship with the public that gives reality to the historic tradition that the police are the public and the public are the police

Peel Principle 9

"The test of police efficiency is the absence of crime and disorder, not the visible evidence of police action in dealing with it."

Pain

Cannot be used to punish

Police are allowed to use a _________ level of force than the suspect

higher level of force than the suspect, We don' t have to fight fair

Graham v. Connor

Determined that the reasonableness of a particular use of force must be judged from the perspective of how a reasonable officer on the scene would respond, rather than from the 20/20 perspective of hindsight. Must go by what officer knew at the time

Reasonableness Factors

Degree/extent of force Location/place Part of official duty Totality of circumstance Severity of crime Was suspect immediate threat to officer/others Suspect resistance Evasion/fleeing

Tennessee v. Garner (1985)

Use of deadly force to prevent escape of a fleeing suspect if it is believed that the suspect poses a significant threat of death or serious physical injury to the officer or others. Cannot shoot a fleeing felon Can only shoot if they are a danger to the public

Use of force continuum

Guideline depicting the appropriate amount of force a law enforcement officer may use in particular kinds of situations

You must _________ the use of force after each use (i.e. strike,shot, etc.)

REASSESS

A vast majority of the use of force incidents can be avoided by one simple concept

Compliance

Compliance weapons

Taser, Oleoresin Capsicum Spray (pepper spray), Batons, K-9, Diversionary Devices (flashbang), Pepperball Guns, Rubber Bullets, Sticky Foam, Bean Bag Round, Emerging technology such as microwaves, directed energy, etc