Police Use of Force and De-Escalation Policies Explained
This paper examines the use of force by police officers in the United States, with particular attention to excessive force, its prevalence, and its public health consequences. Drawing on data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics and peer-reviewed research, the paper outlines the conditions under which force is legally permitted, the types of force available to officers, and the documented rates of citizen complaints and injuries. The paper then turns to de-escalation training — its common components, its variable implementation across departments, and the limited but encouraging scientific evidence for its effectiveness. The paper concludes with recommendations for police leadership to prioritize de-escalation instruction and accountability for officers who misuse force.
- Introduction: Legal basis and definitions of permissible police force
- Prevalence of Police Use of Force: Statistics and categories of force evidence
- Use of Force and Public Health: Mental and physical health effects of police violence
- De-Escalation Policies: Arguments for and against de-escalation training
- Description of De-Escalation Training: Content, delivery, and effectiveness of training modules
- Conclusion and Recommendations: Policy recommendations and leadership accountability
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What makes this paper effective
- The paper integrates government statistics (Bureau of Justice Statistics, U.S. Department of Justice) alongside peer-reviewed research, lending credibility to its empirical claims about the prevalence of force.
- It presents multiple perspectives — including critics of de-escalation training — rather than advancing a one-sided argument, which strengthens analytical balance.
- The three-tiered categorization of research knowledge (accepted as fact, accepted with average confidence, and not research-based) provides a clear and useful framework for evaluating the evidence on force.
Key academic technique demonstrated
The paper demonstrates effective use of evidence synthesis: it draws from government reports, journal articles, and professional association publications to build a layered argument. Rather than relying on a single source, each section marshals multiple citations to support or complicate its claims, which is a hallmark of graduate-level literature engagement.
Structure breakdown
The paper follows a standard research structure: an abstract summarizes the full argument; the introduction defines legal boundaries of force; a prevalence section presents statistical data; a public health section broadens the societal frame; two central sections describe and evaluate de-escalation policies and training; and a conclusion synthesizes findings with policy recommendations. This logical progression from definition to evidence to intervention to recommendation is well-executed.
Introduction
According to the International Association of Chiefs of Police, police are permitted to use force in situations where they need compliance from a citizen who is unwilling to comply with lawful orders or instructions (NIJ, 2012). This is the case in many jurisdictions across the world. However, while police are allowed to use force, they are not permitted to use excessive force — that is, more force than is necessary to control a citizen or group of citizens (NIJ, 2012). Several factors determine whether the use of force is necessary in most police departments. These include the location; the situation involved; the person or persons involved; the mental capacity of those involved; the presence or use of any weapon; and the presence or use of excessive alcohol or dangerous drugs.
Most police departments across the United States define the use of force differently. Official definitions are intended to help officers understand when force is necessary or permitted, and when its use may be considered excessive. These definitions are typically included in police standard operating procedures, agency guidelines, and employment contracts (Terrill & Paoline, 2012, p. 8).
In the Western world, officers may use three types of force: lethal force, less-lethal force, and physical or verbal restraint. More police officers have been equipped with tasers in recent years to reduce the need for lethal force. While tasers have generally helped officers resort to lethal force less often, their use has been significantly criticized — some regard them as inhumane, others as dangerous tools. Nevertheless, tasers have helped reduce the need for lethal force, particularly in situations where their use is permitted by law or otherwise justifiable.
References
Engel, R., McManus, H., & Herold, T. (2019). The deafening demand for de-escalation training: A systematic review and call for evidence in police use of force reform. International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), University of Cincinnati. Retrieved from https://www.theiacp.org/
Engel, R., McManus, H., & Isaza, G. (2020). Moving beyond "best practice": Experiences in police reform and a call for evidence to reduce officer-involved shootings. AAPSS, 687(1). https://doi.org/10.1177/0002716219889328
Landers, B. (2017). Are de-escalation policies dangerous? Police Magazine. Retrieved from https://www.policemag.com/342333/are-de-escalation-policies-dangerous
Obasogie, O., & Newman, Z. (2017). Police violence, use of force policies, and public health. American Journal of Law and Medicine, 43, 279–295. Retrieved from https://www.law.berkeley.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Paper-Obasogie.pdf
Terrill, W., & Paoline, E. A. (2012). Examining less-lethal force policy and the force continuum: Results from a national use of force study. Police Quarterly, 20(1), 1–28.
U.S. Department of Justice. (1999). Use of force by police: Overview of national and local data. National Institute of Justice. Retrieved from https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/176330-1.pdf
U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice. (2003). Curbing police brutality: What works? (NIJ Publication No. 192518). Retrieved from https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/192518.pdf
White, M. D., & Ready, J. (2007). The TASER as a less-lethal force alternative: Findings on use and effectiveness in a large metropolitan police agency. Police Quarterly, 10(2), 170–191.
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