Exploring the Use of Force as an Iterative Process

• In Event: Police Use of Force and Resistance

Abstract

The use of force by police is a relatively rare event, but remains an important subject in police-community relations. In an attempt to guide officers in properly using force, departments often rely on policies that incorporate a use-of-force continuum. Such an approach instructs officers to use force that is both incremental and proportional to the level of suspect resistance faced. However, only a few studies have explicitly taken into account the iterative nature of force and resistance. As a result, the present study uses data collected from a large northeastern police department to explore the iterative processes of force in police-citizen interactions.

Authors

• William Terrill, Arizona State University

• Charles LoFaso, Ohio State University

• Logan Somers, Arizona State University