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Use of Deadly Force in Seattle - When Is It Justified?

NCJ Number
83802
Author(s)
J Tweedie; P Scanlan
Date Published
Unknown
Length
14 pages
Annotation
The American Civil Liberties Union of Washington suggests that the new use of deadly force policy for the Seattle Police Department should authorize deadly force only when clear and present danger of death exists for the officer or another citizen.
Abstract
Any deadly force policy must balance the duties of the law enforcement officer with the suspect's constitutional rights to life, trial, and due process. Washington, along with 23 other States, codifies the ancient common law rule which allows the use of deadly force to effect the arrest of any felon or felony suspect. In two recent cases, Federal courts have held deadly force rules to a stricter constitutional standard. The proposed policy would reduce the number of young offenders, blacks, and unarmed suspects who are shot by police. A police officer may effectively pursue the duties of apprehension and arrest without a deadly force option. In Southern California, for example, there was no decline in arrest rates when the policy proposed herein was adopted. An eight-entry bibliography is provided.