NCJ Number
193789
Date Published
January 2001
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This study analyzed force used by police officers after a pursuit
of a suspect as part of the officer's effort to gain control of
the suspect.
Abstract
The data were collected as part of a larger research project that
included four jurisdictions: the Metro-Dade Police Department
(Miami, FL); the Omaha Police Department (Nebraska); the Mesa
Police Department (Arizona); and the Aiken County Sheriffs Office
(South Carolina). In addition, data were collected from jail
inmates in three of these cities or the neighboring areas. At
each site, police officers were sampled and asked to complete
survey questionnaires that queried them on their attitudes and
experiences regarding suspect pursuit and the use of force.
Suspects who ran from the police were interviewed in Omaha,
Miami, and South Carolina. The requirements for completing
use-of-force or control-of-persons reports were similar for the
sites; at each site, an injury, a report of injury, or the use of
any force beyond normal control and handcuffing without
resistance required an officer report. Data for Aiken County
covered 1993 and 1994; the Metro-Dade information dated from 1990
to 1994; and the Omaha pursuits were conducted from 1992 to 1994.
Pursuit forms were not collected for the Mesa Police Department.
The study found that most officers acted professionally at the
termination of the pursuit when taking the suspect into custody;
however, some became anxious at the end of a pursuit and tended
to "pull the suspect out of the vent window" to make an arrest.
Suggestions for reducing such unprofessional behavior include
enhanced training, supervision, and accountability systems. The
authors recommend that if possible, an officer other than the
primary pursuit driver should take physical custody of the
suspect. 5 tables and 18 references
Date Published: January 1, 2001