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

    Authors

    W. Terrill;E. A. Paoline

    Comments

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    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

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