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The effect of less-lethal weapons on injuries in police use-of-force events

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  • MacDonald, J.M.
  • Kaminski, R.J.
  • Smith, M.R.

Abstract

Objectives. We investigated the effect of the use of less-lethal weapons, conductive energy devices (CEDs), and oleoresin capsicum (OC) spray on the prevalence and incidence of injuries to police officers and civilians in encounters involving the use of force. Methods. We analyzed data from 12 police departments that documented injuries to officers and civilians in 24380 cases. We examined monthly injury rates for 2 police departments before and after their adoption of CEDs. Results. Odds of injury to civilians and officers were significantly lower when police used CED weapons, after control for differences in case attributes and departmental policies restricting use of these weapons. Monthly incidence of injury in 2 police departments declined significantly, by 25% to 62%, after adoption of CED devices. Conclusions. Injuries sustained during police use-of-force events affect thousands of police officers and civilians in the United States each year. Incidence of these injuries can be reduced dramatically when law enforcement agencies responsibly employ less-lethal weapons in lieu of physical force.

Suggested Citation

  • MacDonald, J.M. & Kaminski, R.J. & Smith, M.R., 2009. "The effect of less-lethal weapons on injuries in police use-of-force events," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 99(12), pages 2268-2274.
    • Handle: RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2009.159616_9
    DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2009.159616
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    Cited by:

    1. Brianna Larsen & Brad Aisbett & Aaron Silk, 2016. "The Injury Profile of an Australian Specialist Policing Unit," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-9, March.
    2. Marilyn D Thomas & Alexis N Reeves & Nicholas P Jewell & Eli K Michaels & Amani M Allen, 2021. "US law enforcement policy predictors of race-specific police fatalities during 2015–16," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(6), pages 1-17, June.
    3. Mears, Daniel P. & Craig, Miltonette O. & Stewart, Eric A. & Warren, Patricia Y., 2017. "Thinking fast, not slow: How cognitive biases may contribute to racial disparities in the use of force in police-citizen encounters," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 12-24.
    4. Boylan, Richard T., 2022. "Should cities disband their police departments?," Journal of Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 130(C).

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