Article Review - Police Use of Force by Mark Curtis Wittie

Police Use of Force

After reading the article Police Use of Force by Mark Curtis Wittie. I began to gather an understanding of police use of force. This article outlined three main area of police use of force. The justification force. The training that is taught to officers on when it’s appropriate to use force, and how officers and police departments are liable in the use of force.

Police Officers are faced with many threatening situations forcing them to react quickly yet appropriately. The article first begins to talk about justification for the use of force. Justification of the use of force is the most important decision for an officer according to Wittie. The article goes on to explain that the amount of force used must be reasonable. In simple terms don’t go overboard. Only use the amount of force that is necessary for the arrest or apprehension of a suspect. The author seemed to have a hard time being able to define what reasonable force really is and what forces would not be reasonable in a given situation. The article goes on to outline the different policies and methods being used to apply the correct amount of force.

 Many police departments choose to use the force continuum method to determine how much force needs to be used in a given situation. The force continuum method starts from the least amount of force which is verbal commands and ends with up to greatest amount deadly force. Wittie explains why the force continuum method is not the best approach. He says that the method makes officers start from the least amount of force and work their way up to the greatest amount. However Wittie proposes another way of force assessment force options. He says “Force options is a better method because it allows an officer to instantly use the option that best suits the situation” (Wittie 18).

The article dives into the next big issue training. Wittie begins saying that training is the only way officers will be able to decide what options are best for different situations and when the use of force is appropriate. He outlines that the use of force training must “Accompanied by clear and concise department policy” (Wittie 18). Wittie really clarifies the importance of teaching officers how to assess a threat and how to counter a threat. Threat assessment can be taught in two ways by classroom instruction or scenario based instruction. In my opinion the author seems to think that scenario based instruction is best because it allows the officer to be exposed to what it’s like to be shot at, and what it’s like to fire a weapon at a suspect.  

Liability seemed to be the largest issue in this article. The author describes how police officials are always trying to shield themselves and their department from liability. The author says that it is very import for a police department to have good policies and procedures. “Having good policies and procedures helps protect officers and departments from civil and criminal liability”.  The author also explains that it is very important that officers are updated on any changes in legal mandates related to training because this can protect the officer from liability. One thing that author does not touch on is the public’s view of police liability. I think that this would have added more depth and understanding of what liability is and who we should hold accountable.  

After reading the section of the article on justification there were a few things I thought the author failed to acknowledge. Wittie mentions what sorts of tools an officer can use to apprehend a suspect. He talked about pepper spray, verbal commands and of course the officer’s gun. Wittie failed to recognize the use of a Taser. The Taser is great non-lethal option that police officers have access to these days.  I was surprised that he did not touch on the use of the Taser in law enforcement. I think that an officer would rather use his or her Taser to take down a suspect than use his or her gun.