The Savannah Study examines the continuum of force based on a research design that was developed prior to the implementation of use-of-force training. Numerous aspects of the use of force were considered and include correlations of the locations of violent crime and the use of force by the police, identification of the incidents in which force are used, examination of the officer's assignment and off-duty incidents; and race, gender, and age of both officer and subject. Several conclusions emerge from the study: use of physical force is infrequent; when force takes place, it is exercised in a responsible way that reflects the training of a proactive police force to prevent excesses and is examined closely by supervisors; and certain courses of action are available to citizens who believe their rights have been violated. The book concludes with a discussion of legal considerations and suggestions for improvements in training. 23 tables, 126 references, and 4 appendixes