Editor’s note: This series of articles is intended to be used as quick topic discussions at the beginning of any meeting. They are meant to create discussion among your teams and to get your officers thinking on their feet about training topics, in order to encourage learning and training.
How does every deputy have the same amount of physical presence?
For detention deputies, a fair fight starts at 4 on 1. Always get help at the beginning of a situation. The show of force with a four-person team is usually sufficient to gain physical compliance from a detainee.
When you have plenty of help, it allows you to keep calm and not respond to “words from the detainee.”
If we have to use force: 4 on 1 protects the detainee and deputies, because we are confident of our ability and don’t overreact.
What are the reasons for Use of Force?
- Defend yourself and others
- Gain control/ restore order
- Move an unwilling inmate
- Stop self-harm
- Stop property destruction
- Prevent escape
How are we judged on our use of force?
By the terms of the GLICK test; Objective Reasonableness Test
Reasonable amount of Force: Force applied: in a good faith effort to maintain and restore (order) discipline
Excessive amount of Force: Force applied maliciously and sadistically for the very purpose of causing harm.
Use of Force in the Jail is covered by the 8th amendment: prohibition of cruel and unusual punishment. Graham v. Connor, 490 U.S. 386 (1989) United States Supreme Court
