Impact of pepper spray availability on police officer use-of-force decisions

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Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies & Management

Online from: 1997

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Document Information:
Title:	Impact of pepper spray availability on police officer use-of-force decisions
Author(s):	Richard C. Lumb, (Department of Criminal Justice, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA), Paul C. Friday, (Department of Criminal Justice, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA)
Citation:	Richard C. Lumb, Paul C. Friday, (1997) "Impact of pepper spray availability on police officer use-of-force decisions", Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies & Management, Vol. 20 Iss: 1, pp.136 - 148
Keywords:	Effectiveness, Police, Violence
Article type:	Research paper
DOI:	10.1108/13639519710162051 (Permanent URL)
Publisher:	MCB UP Ltd
Abstract:	Use of “less than lethal weapons” by police has generated extreme review and controversy in some highly publicized cases. Confronting hostility and aggressiveness, police officers cannot turn away and flee from a dangerous situation, forcing them to select the best available option for controlling the individual. Among the officers’ choice of responses, oleoresin capsicum (OC) pepper spray has proven to be extremely effective. However, this is not a risk-free weapon, and due to a number of suspect deaths following its use, it has become controversial. Investigates if OC spray reduced the frequency and level of use of force, and if its availability affected the number of suspect and officer injuries.