Police give lessons in how they use force

[lewisipso]

Boston police, reeling from a YouTube video last fall that showed several officers forcefully subduing a 16-year-old boy, are reaching out to community leaders, elected officials, and the news media in an effort to persuade the public that officers have received careful training and are taught strict guidelines on when to use force.
“I think it’s time we remove the mystery around police use of force,’’ Commissioner Edward F. Davis said Thursday night at the Boston Police Academy in Hyde Park, where officials invited several reporters, religious figures, and leaders of the Boston branch of the NAACP to meet with police instructors.
For nearly four hours, about half a dozen uniformed instructors lectured on the guidelines, showed footage of arrests, and traded blows in mock confrontations to show how they respond to violent suspects.

Reeling from video, Boston police offer insight on use of force - The Boston Globe





Would you attend such an event? Would a glimpse into the rough side of police work show the need for the use of force?

[Ryan701]

Sometimes, I think MORE use of force is needed.

[countybear]

The police use force. Do not fight them. Mystery solved.

[cwtlady]

Just hearing the officers talk about how they take down a suspect is enough for me. In my mind, whatever it takes to effect a safe arrest for the officer.

[Jenna]

The police use force. Do not fight them. Mystery solved.

Explained in simple terms, great mysteries can be!

[Captain America]

What 's the big deal ? I 've been giving use of force lessons to the members of the public ,one resistant suspect at a time , for years.

[MacLean]

OK, I'll be contrarian.

I think this is an oustanding idea. I invite city council members, guild lawyers, mayors, and anyone who works for the city to come watch my firearms training.

At the end of the month, I will be running many of them through the Laser Shot system I was just trained on.

As a lethal force/firearms/tactics instructor, I find it is helpful to share any and all knowledge I can to prevent the following sorts of problems:

1. "You can't possibly need guns, I was in the Army and use the same pistol for years."

2. "Why didn't you shoot him in the leg?"

3. "Why didn't he use a Taser?"

4. "Why should police officers have rifles like soldiers?"

And on, and on, and on. In addition to the pure joy I experience when I teach, the dividend received in good will and mutual understanding has been priceless.

[armsmaster270]

Why rifles? See L.A. Shootout.
Why leg? It will not stop a determined attacker
Tasers against guns is dangerous.
Ad Nauseum

[Odd]

Would I attend? Maybe, but four hours is pretty long, is there an intermission? Do I prefer the public learns about the necessity and reality of use of force from their local law enforcement rather than from TV or the internet? Absolutely.

I have a basic grasp of the use of overwhelming force being beneficial to all parties in a conflict as a way to shorten and reduce injuries in engagement. (Not a warrior, don't claim to be one) That's a heck of a hard sell though to people who know they'll only ever be losing one of these engagements - and since they're know they're not terribly forceful people, surely it need not be that overwhelming. Why someone could get hurt! Not sure a four hour session will do it, but it's a start.

[Buttercup]

I wouldn't attend because I do have an understanding of the need for use of force. However, I do think that it's a good idea.

[countybear]

Maclean makes very valid points. I applaud (and rep) him.

My response was terse, but fallaciously based upon something that I realize is seemingly in very short supply: common sense. I know better than to assume, yet I still at times do so.

[MacLean]

Thank you, sir.

I understood where you were coming from, it just reminded me of some of the smiles I've generated on what would otherwise be "anti-police" types.

[McCrackhd]

I read an article several years ago where the some scientists put average people in shoot/don't shoot scenarios on FATS (Firearms Training Simulator). It turned out very enlightening to the citizens to learn how many times they shot people that should not have been shot, and got "killed" when they should have shot. It opened a lot of eyes as to how little time you have and how easy it is to make a mistake. They were supposed to publish the results for officers accused of using excessive force.

[Traffic Goddess]

This is one reason why I love the Calibre Press Street Survival course. They invite any elected official to attend for free. That way, they get to see some of the grittiest situations that police officers face. If you have not attended this seminar and you are a LEO, I urge you to do so. I paid for the course, myself, and it was worth every penny. There is even a seminar on the third day of the course for your spouse or significant other. It helps them to understand what you go through and how to be supportive.

[nick122590]

do exactly what the police say and they wont need to use force. i think they should be showing people how to listen and fallow orders instead

[ms1600]

Some departments host a Citizen's Academy that give an inside look on how police departments function and why they do what they do. I attended APD's Citizen Academy several years ago. It was a great experience. I recommend it to anyone (obviously, LEO's go through your real academy).