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Understanding the Use of Force by and Against the Police

NCJ Number
159602
Author(s)
J Garner; T Schade; J Hepburn; J Fagan
Date Published
Unknown
Length
155 pages
Annotation
The Phoenix Use of Force Project examined incidents in which force was used by and against Phoenix police officers, focusing on the amount of force used and the characteristics of arrest situations, suspects, and officers associated with the use of force.
Abstract
Concepts and analytical models related to the use of force- including legal and nonlethal force, a continuum of force, and transactions in a situational context-are presented in the introductory chapter of this study. The introductory chapter of this study discusses concepts related to the use of force, including legal and nonlethal force, a continuum of force, and transactions in a situational context. It presents analytical models. The Phoenix Use of Force Project uses data collected from suspect and officer interviews; methodological issues relate to the confidentiality of research subjects, data coding and analysis, and legal concerns. Three measures of force described include physical force, the continuum of force, and maximum force. The study reviews correlates of force and outlines a model of force. The empirical results of the study are described in terms of variable construction and predictors of suspect and police use of force. 37 tables and 5 figures