Subspecialty: Police Psychology
Topic: The Use-of-Force Continuum
The subspecialty I chose was The Use of Force Continuum. I chose this topic because it correlates with my current profession and the topic I chose for the final project. I recently completed training to become a certified trainer on a specific device that will be used in some juvenile detention facilities that will help staff when dealing with aggressive and non-compliant juveniles. The device will assist juvenile detention officers in many situations and incidents that require a minimal amount of force on juveniles. That device is called the G.L.O.V.E. This G.L.O.V.E. is an example of a nonfatal excessive force device. It will deploy a low output volt to the juvenile to regain control. Although I have gone through training on the use of force continuum, I wanted to gain more insight into the topic to share the information during future training sessions.
According to the Department of Justice (2009), “Most law enforcement agencies have policies that guide their use of force. These policies describe a escalating series of actions an officer may take to resolve a situation”. The Use of Force Continuum begins with low level techniques that an officer may use to de-escalate a situation, but if matters intensify, use of force may be justified if used properly. There are many techniques that can be used to prevent using excessive force. For example, an officer may use a taser, pepper spray, or even handcuff the individual to prevent using excessive force. If any of these techniques fail, the officer can be justified in using lethal weapons to control the individual and to protect the officer or anyone else from harm. Within the use of force continuum there are steps that an officer must use when dealing with a situation. These steps include officer presence, verbalization, empty hand control, less- lethal methods, and lethal force. According to the Department of Justice (2009), “officer presence- no force is used. Considered the best way to resolve a situation”. An officer then uses verbal commands. After using verbal commands an officer may use gentle force to guide the person. If the gentle force fails, the officer can then use less-lethal methods. In this step, this is where the G.L.O.V.E., pepper spray or taser may be effective. The last step, the officer would then use lethal force to gain control which could result in someone getting hurt. In certain instances, matters could take a quick turn within a brief time. If officers use these steps appropriately, the amount of force used can be justified.
Forensic psychology professionals have many roles and responsibilities within police psychology. “A police psychologist does not have to be a former police officer to be an effective service provider to law enforcement agencies” (Bartol