POLICE
WORK can be DANGEROUS!
“911! What is your emergency?”
“Someone is breaking into my house.”
Imagine…… it’s late at
night, everywhere is dark and rainy and you hear a strange noise downstairs. In a few minutes, you hear the police car
siren.
How do those officers
feel? Brave? Scared? Prepared for anything?
What are they
thinking? Will the robber have a weapon? Will they have to give chase? Will they have to use force?
Police officers are trained and equipped to use
force if necessary.
They
are trained to take charge using verbal commands, and to use self-defense.
They
are equipped with pepper spray and Tasers.
They
carry pistols and batons.
They carry shotguns in their cars.
Often
they have to make split-second decisions in
dangerous situations
HOW MUCH
FORCE CAN AN OFFICER USE?
Whatever
level is reasonable and
necessary to make an
arrest
The
officer must start with the least amount of force needed for any situation.
There
are FOUR LEVELS OF FORCE
(3)
Level
|
Type of force
|
When to use
|
1.
Arrest/handcuffing
|
Lowest level
|
The suspect follows
verbal commands and gives in to arrest
|
2. Physical
Restraint
|
A martial arts hold
|
The suspect resists arrest,
but is not armed
|
3. Non-deadly force
|
Chemical spray or
Taser* or Stun Guns
|
If physical
restraint is not possible or fails
|
4. Deadly force
|
Firearms or baton
blows above the shoulder
|
The suspect
threatens the life of or bodily injury to officer or bystander
|
*Tasers fire
two metal probes, which
are 15 feet long. The probes attach
themselves to the attacker and deliver
an electrical pulse. The pulse can
penetrate up to 2 inches of clothing.
Unlike a stun gun, a Taser does not
rely on pain. Instead it attacks the
motor nervous system through muscle (2)
Sometimes,
officers are accused of using EXCESSIVE FORCE. That means too much
force for the situation.
Would it be reasonable to shoot an unarmed person who had
stolen an apple from a fruit stand?
Would it be necessary to use a Taser on a confused, elderly
person who was wandering in traffic?
HERE IS A SCENARIO. WHAT SHOULD THE POLICE OFFICERS DO?
Late
one night, two police officers see a car speeding and changing lanes on the
highway.
They
stop the car. The driver, John, is a
tall, thin, 17-year-old. He is alone in the car. It is obvious that he has been
drinking. The officers ask him to get out of his car and ask to see his driver’s
license. John becomes angry and shouts at the officers. One of the officers tries to handcuff him,
but John pushes him away. He punches the other officer and runs to the other
side of the car, screaming, “I’ll kill you if you come near me!”
A) Shoot
B)
Use a Taser
C) Chase and use a
martial arts hold
WHAT SHOULD JOHN HAVE DONE?
Here are some rules to follow if a police officer stops YOU! (4)
DO! DON’T!
BE POLITE ARGUE
KEEP YOUR HANDS VISIBLE RUN
STAY CALM RESIST ARREST
WATCH YOUR WORDS MAKE SUDDEN MOVES AND BODY LANGUAGE
REMEMBER!
Most police work is routine, but it can be dangerous.
Police have rules
Everyone deserves respect
YOU have rights too.
If
you are stopped or arrested by
a
police officer:
You have the right to remain silent
Anything you say, can and will be
used against you in a court of law
You have the right to a lawyer
These are called
your Miranda Rights (4)
So . .
.
If a
police officer stops you, remember to be respectful and stay calm, even if you are afraid.
Police
officers have rules too. If you believe
they have broken their rules or treated you unfairly, tell a parent LATER and
make a complaint to your Police Department.
References
1. Cop Silouette Stock Photos (n.d.) Retrieved from https://www.shutterstock.com/search/cop+silhouette
2. Difference between Stun Gun and Taser (n.d.) Retrieved
from https://sciencing.com/difference-between-stun-gun-taser-5588945.html
3. Police and the Use of Force (1997) in Youth & Police, Constitutional Rights
Foundation. Retrieved from
4. 10 Rules of
Survival (n.d.) Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/black-culture/connect/talk-back/10_rules_of_survival_if_stopped_by_police/
5. Taser Superstore (n.d.) Retrieved from http://www.defenseproducts101.com/tasers_introduction.html
6. What Are Your
Miranda Rights? (2018) Retrieved from
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