Police Dogs as Less Lethal Weapons: A Quantitative ... · Today’s presentation based upon 301...
Transcript of Police Dogs as Less Lethal Weapons: A Quantitative ... · Today’s presentation based upon 301...
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Police Dogs as Less Lethal Weapons: A Quantitative Analysis of
Effectiveness and OutcomesCharles Mesloh PhD
Director: Weapons & Research InstituteKomaal Collie BA
Program Manager: Weapons & Equipment Research Institute Florida Gulf Coast University
Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences 2009
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Grant Project Driving this Research
Funded by National Institute of JusticeGrant # 2005-IJ-CX-K050Under Less Lethal Weapons Technologies solicitation
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the Department of Justice, the National Institute of Justice or any other government agency.
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Project OverviewApproximately 5000 cases (4303) after removing incomplete cases (missing reports)Data captured from Use of Force reports and Offense reportsLess Lethal Weapon Effectiveness, Use of Force, and Suspect and Officer Injuries: A Five Year Study
Today’s presentation based upon 301 cases where police canines were used as force against suspects
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Review of the LiteratureDespite the prevalence of canine use within the U.S. (15,000 teams), very few peer-reviewed studies relating to police dogs could be identified.Of those, only three studies were directly related to police dog use of force.
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Effectiveness Ranking
Police canines were consistently one of the most effective tools for bringing suspects under controlOutperformed TASER in each iteration
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Less Lethal EffectivenessIteration 1 Iteration 2 Iteration 3
Chemical agent 329 (64%) 211 (72%) 108
TASER 1460 (69%) 536 (67%) 270
Compliance hold 64 (16%) 81 (63%) 35
Takedown 215 (41%) 166 (62%) 64
Empty hand strike 26 (28%) 63 (61%) 47
Impact weapon 32 (45%) 41 (51%) 43
Pepperball 4 (57%) 2 (67%) 0
12 gauge beanbag 2 (29%) 1 (50%) 2
K9 209 (69%) 74 (71%) 32
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Deployments
Across a wide range of chargesLarge number related to burglary and grand theftPrimary resistance type is flight (n=157) or concealment (n=130)
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Charge Types
Type of Charge
87 28.9
13 4.3
179 59.5
3 1.0
1 .3
18 6.0
301 100.0
Felony Violent
Felony Drug
Felony Property
Misdemeanor Violent
Misdemeanor Drug
Misdemeanor Property
Total
Valid
Frequency Percent
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Used Instead of Deadly Force
8 blunt objects13 edged weapons18 firearms5 vehicle extractions
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Use of Force with Police Dogs
German shepherds have a bite force of 1500 p.s.i.Potential for serious injuryRange of injuries from punctures to rips and crush damageOne confirmed fatality
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Injuries
86% were punctures5% lacerations8% bruise /abrasionOne broken bone from suspect falling
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Injury Increase over Time
Suspect Injured * Number of Levels Crosstabulation
Count
60 12 2 74
149 61 17 227
209 73 19 301
No
Yes
SuspectInjured
Total
One Level Two Levels Three Levels
Number of Levels
Total
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Balancing Act
Properly managed, K9 team can still be most cost effective tool in arsenal.Balance benefits and risks
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BenefitsHigh level of deterrence (anecdotal)High level of effectivenessNo countermeasuresMulti-functionLowest officer injury rate 1%Potential good P.R.Can generate funding
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Risks
CostTrainingHigh level of suspect injury (30%)1983 claim possibilityPotential for nightmarish P.R.
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Limitations
Only reviewed cases where force was usedThreatened use of force and immediate compliance not captured
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Future Research
Deterrence StudyForensic Bite Analysis
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Questions/Comments
Dr. Charles Mesloh
Director, Weapons & Equipment Research Institute
Florida Gulf Coast University
[email protected] (office)