Use of Chemical Force in America

USE OF CHEMICAL FORCE IN AMERICA

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The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) National Police Use of Force Database is the first substantial aggregation of state, county, and local law enforcement use of force data.

Data from 1995-2000 show that the historical street continuum for officers was physical force. At that time, the ration between the frequencies of physical force to chemical force was about 31 to 1. Between 1999-2000, the ration of physical to chemical force was 2-1. Thus officer use of chemical force has increased considerably in recent years.

From 1999-2000, physical force remains the most common force used by officers, followed by chemical force. However, the use of chemical foce was greater than the combined totals for electronic, impact, and firearm force.

What follows are some recent and noteworthy findings from the data collected that specifically relates to the use of Aerosol Subject Restraints (ASRs) and related policy matters.

Departments Permit the use of Chemical Force

Calendar Year	%Yes	%No
1996	81.5	18.5
1997	90.4	9.6
1998	97.0	3.0

Departments Have Policy on Use of Force Continuum

Calendar Year	%Yes	%No
1996	96.3	3.7
1997	100	0.0
1998	97.0	3.0

Departments Have Formal Use of Force Continuum

Calendar Year	%Yes	%No
1996	88.9	11.1
1997	98.1	1.9
1998	97.0	3.0

NOTE: Data obtained from National Use of Force Database final report published March 2001

[ Up ] [ Use of Chemical Force in America ] [ "Pure Capsaicin is 16 Million Scoville Heat Units"/OC Pungency Chart ] [ Minimize Your Aerosol Risk ] [ Post Exposure Cleansing ] [ Beware of Carcinogens in ASRs ] [ OSHA's Expanded Hazard Communication Standard ] [ ANSI's New MSDS Format ]