Title

Conducted Energy Devices (CEDs) and Citizen Injuries: The Shocking Empirical Reality

Authors

Authors

W. Terrill;E. A. Paoline

Comments

Authors: contact us about adding a copy of your work at STARS@ucf.edu

Abbreviated Journal Title

Justice Q.

Keywords

police; use of force; conducted energy devices; TASER; citizen injuries; POLICE USE; ELECTRICAL WEAPON; FORCE; TASER; RESISTANCE; LEGITIMACY; OFFICERS; IMPACT; Criminology & Penology

Abstract

As one of the contemporary additions to the use of force spectrum, conducted energy devices (CEDs) have been surrounded by controversy. Such concerns have fueled a number of studies, many of which have attempted to examine the relationship between CEDs and citizen injuries. This limited body of research, however, has produced inconsistent results and suffers from a number of documented drawbacks. Drawing on data collected as part of a national multi-agency use of force project, the current study analyzes nearly 14,000 use-of-force incidents across seven agencies, over 2,600 of which involve a CED, to assess the potential impact of CEDs on citizen injuries. In doing so, a series of multivariate statistical models are employed that isolate CED cases and compare them to a number of both hands-on and weapon-based tactics. Unlike previous research, which often highlights the beneficial aspects of CEDs in relation to injuries, our findings generally show an increased risk between the use of CEDs and citizen injuries. As such, more research is needed before deriving any conclusions as to the "safeness" of CEDs, especially in relation to the choice between using a CED or an alternative means of dispute resolution (either hands-on physical force or another weapon).

Journal Title

Justice Quarterly

Volume

29

Issue/Number

2

Publication Date

1-1-2012

Document Type

Article

Language

English

First Page

153

Last Page

182

WOS Identifier

WOS:000302406600001

ISSN

0741-8825

Share

COinS