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WEAPONLESS CONTROL FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND SECURITY PERSONNEL

NCJ Number
60430
Author(s)
J COPE; K GODDARD
Date Published
1979
Length
299 pages
Annotation
POLICE TECHNIQUES WHICH OFFER AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE DISPLAY OR USE OF DEADLY FORCE ARE PRESENTED FOR SECURITY PERSONNEL AND LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS.
Abstract
IN ORDER FOR OFFICERS TO PROTECT THEMSELVES FROM INJURY, PROTECT CRIMINAL SUSPECTS FROM UNNECESSARY INJURY, WHILE STILL BRINGING SUSPECTS UNDER CONTROL, THEY MUST INTEGRATE WEAPONLESS CONTROL TECHIQUES INTO THEIR WORK SKILLS. BY MASTERING THE METHODS OF CONTROL DURING SEARCHES, CONTROL DURING TRANSPORTATION, AND SELF-DEFENSE, THE OFFICERS MAY ACT EFFECTIVELY AND WITHOUT HESITATION WHEN A CRITICAL AND UNEXPECTED CONFRONTATION OCCURS. ALL CONTROL TECHNIQUES ARE BASED ON THE EFFECTIVE USE OF 'COMMAND PRESENCE' WHICH INCORPORATES CONCEPTS OF THE OFFICER'S PROPER APPEARANCE, ATTITUDE, DEMEANOR, AND ABILITY TO PREVAIL IN A POSSIBLE CONFRONTATION. AS A TOOL FOR CONTROLLING A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION, THE OFFICER'S COMMAND PRESENCE, AND THE SUBJECT'S CONCURRENT PERCEPTION OF THE OFFICER'S ABILITIES, HAVE PROVEN TO BE JUST AS EFFECTIVE AS ANY OF THE WEAPONS ISSUED TO THE OFFICER. FOR EACH SITUATION A DISTINCT LEVEL OF CONTROL IS REQUIRED; WHILE MOST POLICE WORK REQUIRES ONLY A FRIENDLY AUTHORITY FIGURE, THE ARREST OF A DANGEROUS FELON NECESSITATES A READINESS TO USE THE BATON, SAP, OR FIREARM. AS INITIAL CONFRONTATIONS CAN QUICKLY BECOME HAZARDOUS, OFFICERS SHOULD MAINTAIN THEIR AWARENESS OF THEIR SURROUNDINGS AND PHYSICAL AND MENTAL CONDITION, CAREFULLY EVALUATING EACH SITUATION. SPECIFIC TECHNIQUES, SUCH AS THE WRISTLOCK, FOR THE CONTROL OF VIOLENT SUSPECTS AND THEIR APPREHENSION, SEARCHES, AND TRANSPORTATION ARE DESCRIBED AND ILLUSTRATED WITH PHOTOGRAPHS. NO REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (TWK)