THE POTENTIAL FOR DEPARTMENTS AND INDIVIDUAL OFFICERS TO BE INVOLVED IN CIVIL LIABILITY FOR USE OF DEADLY FORCE HAS MADE IT IMPERATIVE FOR DEPARTMENTS TO ADOPT POLICIES AND TRAIN OFFICERS TO CONFORM TO COURT DECISIONS REGARDING THE PROPER USE OF DEADLY FORCE. SHOOTINGS BY OFF-DUTY POLICE OFFICERS ACCOUNT FOR A SURPRISINGLY HIGH PERCENTAGE OF POLICE GUN BATTLES. MANY SUCH INCIDENTS OCCUR WHILE THE OFFICER IS UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL. DEPARTMENTAL WEAPONS POLICY SHOULD STATE THAT OFFICERS MAY NOT CARRY GUNS IN A SOCIAL SITUATION WHERE THEY EXPECT TO BE DRINKING LIQUOR. THE SHOOTING OF FLEEING FELONS IS BEING FORBIDDEN BY MORE AND MORE DEPARTMENTS. MANY POLICE ASSOCIATIONS AND UNIONS ARE FIGHTING THIS TREND. THEY GENERALLY PREFER A POLICY WHICH PERMITS THE SHOOTING OF FLEEING FELONS WHERE IT IS KNOWN BY THE INVOLVED OFFICER BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT THAT THE SUSPECT CONSTITUTES A SERIOUS DANGER TO THE COMMUNITY AND THE OFFICER WOULD BE UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE SUSPECT FOR FUTURE CAPTURE. THERE IS GENERAL AGREEMENT THAT THE ONLY ABSOLUTE CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH DEADLY FORCE SHOULD BE USED IS WHEN AN OFFICER OR INNOCENT CITIZEN IS THREATENED WITH LOSS OF LIFE OR SERIOUS INJURY. MOST POLICE ADMINISTRATORS BELIEVE POLICE TRAINING NEEDS TO BE UPGRADED REGARDING THE USE OF WEAPONS THROUGH SIMULATING COMBAT CONDITIONS TO DEVELOP PROPER JUDGMENT IN THE USE OF FIREARMS. DEPARTMENTS SHOULD ALSO DEVELOP POLICIES FOR COMMUNICATING WITH THE MEDIA ABOUT A POLICE SHOOTING WHICH IS MORE HELPFUL TO THE DEPARTMENT THAN EVASIVE TACTICS. (RCB)