The first research project described involves an analysis of participant interaction prior to, during, and immediately after a shooting by a police officer. The study was particularly interested in debriefing officers who had purposefully discharged their weapons at a person, whether the result was a miss, a wounding, or a fatality. Data were obtained from police departments in four medium to large cities. Some preliminary findings from the study are outlined. The chief of police of the San Jose Police Department describes the departmental policy for officer use of deadly force to be that of using a firearm only when an officer's life or an innocent citizen's life is in immediate danger. This policy and its specific applications are taught to officers in their training. The second research project described was sponsored by the National Institute of Justice, and it undertook to identify the critical organizational policy and administrative elements that now govern police use of deadly force, as well as the impact of these factors. Segments of the overall project examined the issue from the police perspective, the black perspective, and the Hispanic perspective. The third study described was conducted to (1) identify factors of law enforcement that underlie the frequency of police use of deadly force, (2) understand the interrelationships of these factors and their causal role in homicides by officers, and (3) develop model policy and procedure to reduce police homicides while enabling officers to fulfill law enforcement duties and protect themselves. Tabular data are provided.