Impacting Excessive Force



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|Impacting Excessive Force |

|Effectiveness of Reducing Excessive Force |

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|Shaquna Gouch & Jacqueline Williams |

|5/10/2015 |

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Table of Content

A. Analysis Process ……………………………………………………………………………… 3

i. Define & Analyze Problem…………………………………………………………. 3-4

ii. Construct Policy Alternatives………………………………………………………4-7

iii. Develop Evaluative Criteria…………………………………………………………7

Effectiveness………………………………………………………………...7

Cost……………………………………………………………………..…7-8

Political feasible ……………………………………………………………8

Ease of Implementation ……………………………………………………9

iv. Assess Alternative ……………………………………………………………………9

v. Draw Conclusion……………………………………………………………..……9-10

B. Context of Public Policy…………………………………………………………………10-11

C. Government Involvement…………………………………………………………….…11-12

D. Instruments of Public Policy……………………………………………………………12-13

E. Policy Typology…………………………………………………………………………..…13

F. Theoretical Model ………………………………………………………………………13-14

G. Proposed Alternatives ………………………………………………………………….…14

i. Lethal weapons ……………………………………………………………………15

ii. Reality based trainings …………………………………………………….…15-16

iii. Higher Education ………………………………………………………………16-17

H. Evaluative Criteria……………………………………………………………………...…17

i. Effectiveness ………………………………………………………………………..17

ii. Cost …………………………………………………………………………..…17-18

iii. Political feasibility ……………………………………………………………..18-19

iv. Ease of Implementation …………………………………………………………19

I. Criteria Assessment ……………………………………………………………………19-22

J. Justification of Alternative………………………………………………………….…22-24

K. Justification of Method …………………………………………………………………..24

L. Conclusion/Summary …………………………………………………………………24-25

M. Reference……………………………………………………………………………….26-27

A. Policy Analysis Process

Steps in the policy analysis process include define and analyze the problem; construct policy alternatives; evaluative criteria; access alternatives; and draw conclusion as stated by scholars Kraft and Furlong (2013).

i. Defining the Problem

The media attention on the social issue of excessive use of force by the police is a continuing headline across the nation. Media attention has caused many to believe that a remedy is indeed needed to settle the outcry of the citizen. But what is the defining force behind excessive force? How is the phrase defined? According to Friedrich (1980) excessive force may be defined by a three part explanation: those explaining the use of force in terms of individual characteristics of policemen, those explaining it in terms of the characteristics of the situation in which police meet citizens, and those explaining it in terms of the organization in which police work. The National Institute of Justice (2001) defines excessive use of force as the amount of effort required by police to compel compliance by an unwilling suspect. Scholars search for a definition of the term that may be generalizable to all public and private sectors.

The LA Times (2014) accounts for a number of cases that have evolved over the last two decades including the beating of Rodney King in Los Angeles by officers March 3, 1991, to Amadou Diallo who was shot to death February 4, 2010, to Eric Garner’s fatal chokehold in New York July 7, 2014, to the more recent account of the fatal incident of teen Michael Brown in Ferguson,MO. The aforementioned cases establish a history of excessive use of force by officers on suspects. When speaking on the history of excessive force usage it also brings to mind the history of the police. According to Mitrani (2014) the police were originally created as a means to control the poor and working class with its creation resembling that of the elite theory technique. Kraft and Furlong (2013) state that the elite or smaller group shape values and preferences to benefit this smaller elite group rather than the general public. Having said that, the origin of the police may share some blame for the current problem because its origin was bias displaying the original culture of the police in a negative image which may account for the frequency of occurrence of excessive use of force by police. The U.S. Department of Justice (2011) reveals that between April 2009 to June 2010, 5,986 recorded reports of misconduct by police and of that 75% of such are cases of excessive force.

Since there is less than 2% of reported incidents that relate to the use of excessive force and there is a negative image of the police by the citizens, it is apparent that there is a need to explore potential solutions to the social issue of excessive use of force by officers. Solutions may be found in areas of training, education, psychological counseling, technology, and community involvement. There are indeed other areas that may pose solutions but do not rank high enough to prove effective toward eliminating the social problem. Policy action in the areas of training, education, and technology may offer valid solutions for eliminating the problem of excessive use of force by officers.

ii. Construct Policy Alternatives

The three policy alternatives proposed as solutions for the use of excessive force by officers are: technology using less-lethal weapons, reality based training, and higher education.

Alternative 1 – Technology using Less-lethal Weapons

Firearms have not always been used as equipment to subdue suspects. After the late 1800’s police departments were issued guns as a means of subduing unwilling suspects because criminals were becoming better armed to combat officers according to Bulman (2010) a reporter for the National Institute of Justice. Now as a result of the number of excessive use of force incidents police departments are looking to technology as a substitute for gun use. Can technology be the solution to this problem? The introduction of such technology as conducted energy devices (CED’s) or Tasers, pepper spray, and body cameras have come on the scene as an answer to the problem.

First advancement in technology is the use of pepper spray to offer the officer a means of safely and effectively subduing the suspect. Bulman (2010) assert that pepper spray is not known to cause major injury such as broken bones, internal injuries or gunshot wounds to suspects. Bulman (2010) state that pepper spray decreased suspect injury by 70% and an officer just pointing a gun alone reduced injury by 80%. As with most things there are disadvantages. Pepper spray requires that an officer is within close range of the suspect which is not always the case but it proves very effective at close range situations.

New to the scene is CED’s commonly used CED is the Taser which when fired releases large amounts of conducted energy to the suspect rendering the suspect immobile. Over 11,000 American law enforcement agencies use CED’s that have organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union and Amnesty International questioning the safety of Tasers as reported by Bulman (2010). Stinson, Reyns, and Liederbach (2008) state that proper use may render a suspect immobile but lack of training and education on the device may be most harmful. Therefore policy making for this form of technology would require usage of the group theory method since there is present opposition to technology use for decreasing use of force by officers. According to Kraft and Furlong (2013) group theorist believe that power is shared by various interest groups each of which support their particular interest in policy making decisions. Therefore if policy regarding the use of Tasers could be demonstrated to be safe and effective with proper education and training on operation of the device the aforementioned groups would favor and lobby for the promotion of less-lethal weapons.

Alternative 2 – Reality Based Training

Reality based training is a type of training that gives the officer relevant scenarios that the officer may encounter in a daily work day. According to California Assembly Concurrent Resolutions 58 Study Committee (1991) students normally retain approximately 50% of institutional content such as handouts, and visuals but when students engage in realistic training skills practices retention may rank at approximately 90% retention. Lopez (2015) report that improved training and recruitment, a better discipline process and greater transparency would enhance Baltimore’s Police Department that is struggling to reform.

Alternative 3 – Higher Education

Higher education is vital in today’s job market and such is the case with today’s officer. According to Paoline and Terrill (2007) an officer with some education beyond the high school level are less likely to enter into physical misconduct than officers with less education. Kraft and Furlong (2013) assert that there are requirements that denote effective education programs such as appropriate facilities and learning materials, well trained teachers, participatory governance and management. Public policy that incorporates the same practices for education of officer as does the general public will elicit more officers with higher education and decreased excessive use of force by officers. Kraft and Furlong (2013) display that the government currently initiate grant programs such as the Pell grant and VA assistance to the general public and it is within reach for the officer as well to advance beyond the high school level of education. Telep (2011) states that research demonstrate officers without college degrees had more citizen initiated complaints than officers with degrees. Consequently 29% of officers without degrees were responsible for 67% of complaints registered constituting at least three complaints per officer.

iii. Develop Evaluate Criteria

Kraft and Furlong (2013) suggest a variety of evaluating criteria including effectiveness, cost, benefits, efficiency, equity, liberty/freedom, political feasibility, social acceptability, administrative feasibility, and technical feasibility.

Effectiveness:

Scholars Kraft and Furlong (2013) state that effectiveness is the likelihood of achieving proposed goals. It is this factor that makes effectiveness one of the most needed evaluative criterion. Since policy program proposals are known to have numerous amounts of goals or objectives to be accomplished within a program, the evaluation process may continue over a period of time and may not produce short term goals without extended study; making this a limitation to evaluating effectiveness. Kraft and Furlong (2013) state that existing programs are required to have yearly mandated performance evaluations to exhibit program effectiveness as a result of the 1993 Government Performance and Results Act. Therefore policies that meet goal objectives are retained and those that fail to meet goals are replaced by better programs.

Cost:

Cost may be an element that is common to the evaluating process to most policy making decisions. It is that measure of the dollars and cents associated with gaining the most benefit for the dollar. In order to give an estimate or detail accounting of the total cost involved in assessing policy alternatives it may be necessary to analyze an existing policy type through a cost-benefit analysis. As stated by Kraft and Furlong (2013) a cost benefit analysis is an analysis consisting of the quantitative measure of the dollar value of a proposed policy action. It is a common practice that may not be recognize as such that gives the advantages and disadvantages to decide on one policy action over another policy action. In the event that cost associated may rank very high; policy action is then measured though a cost-effectiveness analysis. Kraft and Furlong (2013) explain that a cost-effectiveness analysis has no measure of ranking when its ultimate benefit is the saving of life.

Political Feasibility:

This evaluating criterion is “the extent to which elected officials and other policy actors support the change” (Kraft and Furlong 2013). Measurements for evaluation in this criterion are not easily identified since the assessment is not a measure of quantification yet it is a measure displaying how a particular group may sway toward a proposed action.

Still another factor such as media coverage may also be a factor in political feasibility since its presence appears to have some relevance in the actions now seen in Baltimore. The actions displayed by the media have ignited the attention of the citizens becoming a social problem for the nation. According to Kraft and Furlong (2013), political situations where a distinct rise in a social action that is in dire need of solution is evidence of requiring government intervention. Some may also class this issue as morally and ethically reasons for intervention but it is political reasoning that is most defined in this instance.

Implementation:

Kraft and Furlong (2013) stated that implementation is most vital because it is that step in the policy process at which government intervention and affects to the citizen are at full vision. Implementation is termed by Kraft and Furlong (2013) as those set of activities that focus on putting a program into effect with said activities being organization, interpretation, and application. As observed by scholars Kraft and Furlong (2013) the development of these three activities will determine policy implementation. An alternative may be most effective but if there is a problem in implementation the energy is a fruitless effort. Therefore, the alternative of choice is that which is most effective at diminishing excessive use of force yet may be implemented with ease while also being politically feasible and most cost effective for the client.

iv. Assess Alternative

According to data displayed by Bulman (2010) researchers estimate that roughly 15 to 20 percent of arrest results in injuries to citizens. In an effort to lower injuries and fatalities, an alternative solution may be seen in the application of less-lethal weapons in subduing suspects. Before the mid 1800’s, officers had no guns when subduing suspects. After this period, officers integrated the use of guns because of the quality of suspect now facing the officer. It is a struggle to seek less-lethal means due to the amount of cases involving use of force. Among the first technological advancements to eliminate gun use are pepper spray and Conducted energy devices such as Tasers have displayed successful practices that are safe and effective.

v. Draw Conclusion

Consequently there may be more alternatives that a policy analyst can create as an effort to reduce excessive force in officers. The research explored suggest that the three aforementioned alternatives will supply solutions to reduce excessive use of force by either using less lethal weapons, providing reality based trainings, and lastly requiring higher education. With the assisted efforts of government intervention the alternatives will move toward elimination of the social issue at hand.

B. Context of Public Policy

Public policy is not something that may be constructed in a scientific laboratory. It is the combination of a number of factors including political values of the time, public feelings, and government structure which all relate to the social and economic conditions of the nation as explained by Kraft and Furlong (2013). In order to further enhance the understanding of the the making of public policy it is necessary to explain the contexts of public policy which include social context, economic context, political context, governing context, and cultural context. Most important to the current social problem of excessive use of force is a reflection of the economic context of public policy. Kraft and Furlong (2013) assert that economic context is influence greatly by the state of the economy of the period. Presently the nation is operating under the Obama administration at over a trillion dollar deficit. As stated by scholars Kraft and Furlong (2013) when there is a downward turn in the economy there is less funding available for new programs and current programs may get cut due to the downward movement in the economy.

Think of the present state of Baltimore which has suffered greatly since the incident of Freddy Gray. Baltimore Sun reporter Mark Puente (2014) report that the median family household income is in the mid to low $20,000 annually while officers range between $61,000 to $67,000. Puente (2014) also report that as a result of lawsuits settled involving excessive use of force the city of Baltimore has paid out $5.7 million. Baltimore ranks as the eight largest police department in the country with approximately 2,800 officers according to Puente (2014). Other large departments comparable to Baltimore such as Miami Dade County Police, and Dallas Police Department have disbursed similar amounts of money for the same reason (lawsuits). Puente (2014) state that Dallas Police Department paid $6.6 million in lawsuits while Miami Dade Police Department paid out $1.8 million. In addition to the funds for lawsuit victims the city has also paid out another $5.8 million to attorneys in defense of officers as stated by Puente (2014). Imagine the dollars to the taxpayer. Puente (2014) report that the taxpayer has paid out $30,000 as a result of the social problem of excessive use of force. These statistics reflect an enormous amount of funds being disbursed in a state that is struggling to brave unemployment issues.

C. Government Involvement

According to the scholars Kraft and Furlong (2013) the government will intervene when a social problem denotes a need to incorporate or adjust policy. Lopez (2015) quotes State Attorney General Loretta Lynch regarding conditions in Baltimore as saying “despite the progress being made it is clear that recent events had given rise to a serious erosion of public mistrust”. The scholars also assert that the leading reasons for government intervention include political reasoning, moral and ethical reasoning, and economics and market failure reasoning. Economics reasoning appear to headline reasons for government. Kraft and Furlong (2013) discuss economics incorporates a market failure displaying externalities that are either negative or positive in nature; meaning that the actions of those involved in the market exchange affect others negatively or positively. Numerous lawsuits settled by states across the nation are being paid out by city officials to victims of excessive use of force but the taxpayer is plagued with a tax burden becoming a third party affected by the actions of parties one and two. Kraft and Furlong (2013) term this as a negative externality. According to Lopez (2015) over the past six years twelve cities have had investigations launched as a result of excessive use of force by officers with such cities as New Orleans, Portland, Cleveland, Ferguson and now Baltimore being the target of U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, Jr. Lopez (2015) reports that investigation reveal that a deeper probe is required by the Professional Standards & Accountability Bureau now headed by Jerry Rodriguez which was designed to enable police leaders to intervene with counseling, better supervision, training and if possible disciplinary action. Lopez (2015) also report that an analysis from group theorist American Cicil Liberties Union of Maryland found that police were charged in less than 2% of police involved killing between 2010 and 2014. In these killings 69% of the victims were black even though the represent 29% of Maryland’s’ population. Lopez (2015) state that since Rodriguez took over the Professional Standards & Accountability Bureau the rate at which officers held accountable jumped from 57% to 88%. It has been the culture of police departments to be rarely convicted if charged with misconduct. As reported by Lopez (2015) the National Police Misconduct Report Project analyzed 3,238 criminal cases against officers from April 2009 to December 2010 and found that only 33% of officers were convicted and of those convicted only 36% of convicted ended up serving prison sentences. Government continues to move toward aid law enforcement bridge the void between citizen and law enforcement. Lopez (2015) state that departments such as Baltimore’s where the city requested that the Justice Department’s COP’s Program be used to aid in institution reform.

D. Instruments of Public Policy

When government intervention is deemed necessary there are various instruments that the government may do. Among these options are regulation, government management, taxing&spending, market mechanisms, education, information, and persuasion as stated by Kraft and Furlong (2013). Even before the government can implement action they must according to scholars Kraft and Furlong (2013) weight each instrument choice for effectiveness, political acceptability, technical feasibility, economic impact, and long term effects as they relate to excessive use of force by officers. Government management as discussed by scholars Kraft and Furlong (2013) display government management as that which government directly delivers services to the public or manages the resources at issue. Here the government will incorporate policy action that will effectively reform police abuse and instruct accountability through the Professional Standards & Accountability Bureau and incorporate usage of The Justice Departments COP’s Program to ease tension among the citizenry.

E. Policy Typology

Kraft and Furlong (2013) explain Lowi’s policy typology as fitting into three policy types; that being distributive policies, redistributive policies, and regulatory policies. The tool of distributive polices according to Kraft and Furlong (2013) state that policy of this nature take from one group and associate gain for another group. For example college research grants for officer to advance to higher levels of education in an attempt to reduce use of excessive use of force or weapons procurement that may be less lethal to the citizenry. These examples are individual programs initiated by the government with no regard for the monetary value of program cost as that used in the cost effectiveness analysis in which the focus is on saving life and not cost.

F. Theoretical Model

Just as in the area of science public policy is comprised of various theories to explain actions facilitating policy choices. Kraft and Furlong (2013) assert those theories of politics and public policy as elite theory, group theory, institutional theory, rational choice theory, and political systems theory. The theory of choice in support of excessive use of force may be achieved by incorporation of the group theory method which according to Kraft and Furlong (2013) are groups speaking out in support of or not in support of a specific interest. Current group theorist (American Civil Liberty Union and Amnesty International) in favor of less-lethal weapons such as CED’s will lobby against the use of Tasers because they have been proven to be harmful if not properly used according to Stinson et al (2008). On the other hand the National Rifle Association will lobby against the use of less-lethal weapons because this group is in support of firearm usage. Any policy created to decrease or limit firearm usage will not register well with the National Rifle Association. There is an ongoing struggle among various group theorist to have their issues addressed each seeking to be that force to make policy decisions that will affect the lives of all citizens.

G. Alternatives

A beacon of light is being cast on the social issue of excessive use of force by police. Citizens now have a contradictory notion of police officers today. This negative image has driven many including the federal government to search for alternatives to diminish this opposing perception of the very organization that is responsible for the safety of the citizenry. The following alternatives will diminish this social problem facing the nation. Alternative #1 focuses on technology that supports equipment use other than guns such as those relating to less lethal weapons, alternative #2 focuses on reality based training, while alternative #3 focuses on higher levels of education.

i. Alternative 1: Less lethal weapons

Using less lethal weapons such as Tasers is one alternative that can be seen as an effective alternative to gain control of and reduce injuries to a resisting suspect. There are over 11,000 American law enforcement agencies that use Tasers as an alternative for deadly weapons. Tasers are known as CEDs which stands for Conduct Energy Devices. According to study conducted with the Seattle Police Department, force applied incidents where suspects were injured has decreased by 48 percent because they used Tasers as an alternative to lethal weapons (Bulman, 2010).

In additions to CEDs (Tasers), Pepper spray was another form of less lethal weapon. “Pepper spray decreased the odds of suspect injury by almost 70 percent, and a deputy aiming a gun at a suspect reduced his or her injury odds by more than 80 percent (the act of pointing a gun alone often effectively ends a suspect's resistance)” (Bulman, 2010).

ii. Alternative 2: Reality-based training

According to Philip Bulman, “Researchers have estimated that between 15 and 20 percent of arrests involve use of force” (2010). Many officers state that they use excessive force on suspects as a mechanism for self-defense. Officers usually imply that excessive force is executed because they felt that suspects have placed their lives in danger. Civilian reporting of force related incidents range from 17 percent to 64 percent and officer reporting of injuries range from 10 to 20 percent as a result of the individual’ judgment (Bulman, 2010). As a result, police departments should provide all officers with up to date training, such as, reality base training. Reality based training is a form of simulation trainings. This type of training consists of reenactments of previous scenarios that have happened to officers.

Improving the training by executing simulation trainings will give officers a wider range of scenarios that can happen any day on the job. With this training, officers will be equipped with a range of worse-case scenarios that could possible happen when dealing with the public. As a benefit, it will give them exposure in addition to the fundamentals they were taught previously as a rookie. Having officer engage physically in trainings has been proven to be more effective than using passive training. “…[S]tudents typically retain only 50% of instructional content based on simple handouts and visual aids, engaging trainees in realistic practice of required skills has the potential to increase retention rates to 90% (California Assembly Concurrent Resolution 58 Study Committee, 1991).

iii. Alternative 3: Higher levels of education

Research has shown that officers with higher education levels are less likely to use excessive force against suspects. If officers achieve some form of secondary education they are more likely to have “humanistic values” (Pascarella & Terenzini, 2005). “These [values] include more liberal attitudes towards ending inequality, greater political and social tolerance, and reductions in racial prejudice” (Astin,1977; Nichols, 1967). Because of this, people with higher education are more likely to know how to channel their aggression other than taking it out on suspects.

Higher education is a way for officer to gain great decision-making skills that are needed when making judgment on situations. They have established a skill set that is needed when dealing with hostile environments. “Kappeler, Sapp, and Carter (1992) examined founded complaints filed against 120 officers over a five-year period. They found that officers without college degrees had significantly more citizen-initiated complaints than officers with a college degree. The 29 percent of officers who did not have a college degree were responsible for 67 percent of the officers who had three or more citizen complaints.” (Telep, 2011)

H. Evaluative Criteria

Kraft and Furlong (2013) display a variety of criteria for judging policy proposals such as effectiveness, efficiency, equity, liberty/freedom, political feasibility, social acceptability, administrative feasibility, and technical feasibility. For the three proposed alternatives the selected criteria are effectiveness, cost, political feasibility and ease of implementation; all of which play a very important role in the policy making process.

i. Effectiveness:

Scholars Kraft and Furlong (2013) state that effectiveness is the likelihood of achieving proposed goals. It is this factor that makes effectiveness one of the most needed evaluative criterion. Because policy program proposals may have a number of goals or objectives to be accomplished within a program, the evaluation process may extend over a period of time and may not yield short term goals without extended study. This fact has been a limitation to evaluating effectiveness. Kraft and Furlong (2013) state that existing programs are required to have yearly mandated performance evaluations to exhibit program effectiveness as a result of the 1993 Government Performance and Results Act. Therefore policies that meet goal objectives are retained and those that fail to meet goals are replaced by better programs. The following alternatives can be measure based on change in the rate of incident reports or complaints. It will be hard to measure based on lives because a neither number nor price can be place on lives.

ii. Cost:

Cost may be a factor that is common to the evaluating process to most policy making decisions. Monetary value is the measurement that is associated with gaining the most benefit for the dollar; as termed by Waldner (2015) it is what gives the most bang for the buck. In order to give an estimate or detail accounting of the total cost involved in evaluating policy alternatives it may be necessary to analyze an existing policy type through a cost-benefit analysis. As stated by Kraft and Furlong (2013) a cost benefit analysis is an analysis consisting of the quantitative measure of the dollar value of a proposed policy action. It is a common practice that may not be recognize as such that gives the advantages and disadvantages to decide on one policy action over another policy action. All to often cost associated may rank very high and a policy action is measured though a cost-effectiveness analysis. Kraft and Furlong explain that a cost-effectiveness analysis has no measure of ranking when its ultimate benefit is the saving of life.

iii. Political Feasibility:

This evaluating criterion is “the extent to which elected officials and other policy actors support the change” (Kraft and Furlong 2013). Measurements for evaluation in this criterion are not easily identified since the assessment is not a measure of quantification yet it is a measure displaying how a particular group may sway toward an action proposed. For example the National Rifle Association may not support restrictions or regulations that may speak on gun restrictions to aid in the social issue of excessive use of force. Therefore, policy actions regulating gun replacement for amore favored less lethal weapon may be opposed by this group.

Another factor such as media coverage may also be a factor in political feasibility since its presence appears to have some relevance in the actions now seen in Baltimore. The actions displayed by the media has sparked the attention of the citizens becoming a social problem for the nation such that the National Guard was called to Baltimore to restore order to the city and there appears to be a need for government intervention establishing this social problem as political reason for government intervention. According to Kraft and Furlong (2013), political situations where a distinct rise in a social action that is in dire need of solution is evidence of requiring government intervention. Some may also class this issue as morally and ethically reasons for intervention but it is political reasoning that is most defined in this instance.

iv. Implementation:

According to Kraft and Furlong (2013) implementation is most vital since it is the stage in the policy process at which government intervention and affects to the citizenry are at full view; meaning that this is the stage to view exactly what affect the passing of a new policy will have or has on the citizen’s freedom or liberty. Implementation is termed by Kraft and Furlong (2013) as those set of activities that focus on putting a program into effect with said activities being organization, interpretation, and application. As viewed by scholars Kraft and Furlong (2013) the development of these three activities will determine policy implementation. An alternative may be most effective but if there is a problem in implementation the energy is a wasted effort. Therefore, the alternative of choice is that which is most effective at diminishing excessive use of force yet may be implemented with ease while also being politically feasible and most cost effective for the client.

I. Criteria Assessment

According to data displayed by Bulman (2011) researchers estimate that approximately 15 to 20 percent of arrest involved use of force with injuries to citizens. Collectively, the injuries consist of minor cuts, and bruises to broken bones and gun shot wounds. In an effort to decrease injuries and loss of lives, an alternative solution may be seen in the application of less-lethal weapons in subduing suspects. Prior to the mid 1800’s, officers did not use guns while subduing suspects. After this period officers incorporated the use of guns because of the caliber of suspect now facing the officer. It is the challenge to seek less-lethal means due to the amount of cases involving use of force. Considering such high stats are now in focus can technology really decrease injuries? Among the first technological advancements to eliminate gun use are pepper spray and Conducted energy devices such as Tasers have displayed successful practices that are safe and effective.

There are various means of assessing the evaluative criteria of proposed policy alternatives such as SWOT which is common for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats; MAUT which references the multiple attributes utility theory; and the compare and contrast method. The compare and contrast method is a common practice and offers simplified means of formulating a proposals strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. The method being used in this paper is process of elimination based on the compare and contrast method. Figure 1.1 is a chart ranking all three alternatives to four evaluative criteria based on how effective each alternative will be in each criteria.

Figure 1.1

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|CRITERIA |

| | | | | Ease of Implementation | |

|Alternatives |Effectiveness |Cost |Political Feasibility| |TOTAL |

|#1:Using less lethal weapons |2 |2 |2 |1 |7 |

|#2: Provide reality based training |3 |3 |3 |2 |11 |

|#3: Require higher education |1 |1 |1 |3 |6 |

Legend: 1-Worse, 2-Somewhat Good, 3- Best

Alternative 1: Using less lethal weapons

This alternative scored a 2 on effectiveness because it may help with reducing excessive force reports but it will not reduce the number of cases enough to where all departments may feel the need to implement it. It only has a 48 percent effectiveness rate which is less than one of the other alternatives to choose from. The cost for this alternative was rated as a 2 as well because the cost to benefit ratio may be somewhat good but is forecast not to be good enough reason to implement. Alternative 1 was given a rat of 2 for political feasibility because half of society may feel this is a good alternative while the other half feels as if this alternative is not good enough to control situations. For ease of implementation, alternative 1 received a1 because officers may feel as if using deadly force is the only effective way to gain control of a hostile situation.

Alternative 2: Provide reality based training

Alternative 2 was rated as a 3 on effectiveness because officers have a 90 percent chance of grasping techniques to help with reducing the number of excessive force reports by civilians. It received a 3 for cost because it will cost a lot to implement this training; however, the return rate for investing in this alternative will meet and possibly exceed the cost. A 3 was given for political feasible because taxpayers will be more willing to contribute when shown how lives can be saved. Also, this alternative received a 2 for ease of implementation because the process for locating the many reports filed and reenacting those reports will take time and years to perfect.

Alternative 3: Require Higher Education

Alternative 3 was rated as a 1 for effectiveness because there is no strong correlation between education and excessive force usage. As for cost, a 1 was given because the cost associated to making this a requirement is not a good ratio. The rate for being politically feasible is a 1 because no strong enough evidence is been given to support this alternative. However, this alternative rated a 3 in ease of implementation because in order to enforce this requirement all that needs to be done is update all documentation containing requirement to join law enforcement.

J. Justification of Alternatives

Alternative 1(Less lethal weapons vs. Alternative 2 (Reality based training)

Upon assessing the evaluative criteria, alternative 1(less lethal weapons) is less effective than alternative 2 (reality based training) because less lethal weapons, such as Tasers, only decreased incidents by 48 percent while reality based training showed an increase in effectiveness by 90 percent. Alternative 2 (reality based training) is the alternative that gives the most benefits for the dollar amount associated to it when compared to alternative 1(less lethal weapons). With the given quantitative data that supports how effective alternative 2 is when compared to alternative 1, alternative 2 is more politically feasible. Taxpayers would like to see the numbers in incidents go down. This tangible evidence lets them know their taxes are being used in a good manner that benefits their livelihood. Alternative 2 (reality based training) is easier to implement than officers using less lethal weapons (alternative 1). If an officer have to make a choice between using deadly force weapons or less lethal weapons in threatening situations, an officer is most likely to result to deadly force weapons as a faster way to control the situation. However, if the officer has proper training, he/she will know how to handle the situation without automatically turning to excessive force. As a result alternative 2 (reality based training) is the best pick out of these two alternatives.

Alternative 2 (Reality based training) vs. Alternative 3 (Requiring higher education)

When justifying an alternative between alternative 2(reality based training) and 3(Requiring higher education), alternative 2(Reality based training) is more effective than alternative 3(Requiring higher education) because it provides officers with a 90 percent higher chance of having the skill set to estimate the amount of excessive force that is needed to gain control of a situation with a suspect. Alternative 3(Requiring higher education) is less cost alternative than 2 (Reality based training), because alternative 2 (Reality based training) is well worth the amount of money that has to be invested into the implementation of the alternative. Alternative 2 (Reality based training) is politically feasible when compared to alternative 3 (Requiring higher education) because taxpayers will know they have a financial input towards reducing excessive force by officers. They see a effort from the police department in reducing excessive force. Alternative 3 (Requiring higher education) is easier and faster to implement than alternative 2 (Reality based training) because all department can place post-secondary degrees as a perquisite for all positions within the police department. Implementing reality-based trainings takes a significant amount of time; however, if conducted in the right manner can be very effective. As a result, alternative 2 (Reality based training) is the best alternative for reducing excessive force by officers when compared to alterative 3 (Requiring higher education).

Chosen Alternative

As the chosen alternative, alternative 2 (Reality based training) seems to be the best fit for police departments to execute as an effective way to reduce excessive force by officers. In order to implement reality-based training, police departments must research reports that lead to excessive force usage and deaths to form different scenarios for officers to train within. Departments should group similar reports and then create trainings with similar environments. Because of so many different incidents that have already occurred, the training may not be exactly like the reports. However, they will be simulation trainings which mean they will resemble the original incidents in some form. It will be a hassle to group the different reports especially with there being so many different reports.

Furthermore, alternative 2 will enhance officers’ exposure and experience to different possible incidents that may place them, as well as other citizens, in dangerous environments that could potentially lead to serious injuries or death. It also is a form of training that will continuously need updating in order to stay relevant with society. Especially, if there seems to be a new trend of dangerous incidents that leads to death in either an officer or citizen.

K. Justification of Method

For this policy challenge, the best method approach to use is the economic approach. The reasoning being is because “it help[s] us understand the real costs of government programs and the trade-offs involved in choosing one policy alternative over another” (Kraft & Furlong, 2013). The process of elimination for this policy analysis is based on a cost-effectiveness analysis and a cost-benefit analysis. With the cost-effectiveness analysis, an analyst can determine if the cost of implementing an alternative meets the measurements for effectiveness of that alternative. Cost-benefit analysis will help an analyst determine if the benefit of implementing the chosen alternative is worth the cost associated to the implementation.

L. Conclusion/ Summary

There are many more alternatives that a policy analyst can create as an effort to reduce excessive force in officers. The research conducted within this paper shows the limitation and strengths of three alternatives that could possible make a positive effect on excessive force usage. The three alternatives were: using less lethal weapons, providing reality based trainings, and lastly requiring higher education. These three alternatives were established as beginning point for creating new and improved laws that could reduce excessive force cases drastically and save lives. Although, every life cannot be saved and society as a whole cannot be protected from wrongful harm all the time, creating this new law can help reduce the numbers of incidents in the future.

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