ABSTRACT
As discussed at greater length in this chapter addressing force policies, the need to develop, implement, and routinely review a use of force policy is critical to protecting officers and the public and to avoid unnecessary liability or the erosion of public confidence in an agency. Public and political pressure as well as research requests and a desire by agencies to improve methods, will all likely result in continued improvement in tracking data about lethal force usage. Criticism and debate in the United States over the use of lethal force by law enforcement has largely arisen from highly publicized cases where African American males have been shot and killed by white officers. Various tools and methods may cause the death of someone, but few such devices are designed to cause a lethal injury. The use of firearms by law enforcement officers and the number of lethal incidents has to be considered against the backdrop of an armed society.
