@article{ref1,
title="Technical-tactical behavior analysis of general duty police officers during non-compliant suspect apprehensions: a novel approach to establish minimum force requirements",
journal="Work",
year="2024",
author="Poirier, Martin P. and Blacklock, Rachel and Cao, Michael and Théoret, Daniel and Frei, Leslie and Gagnon, Patrick",
volume="ePub",
number="ePub",
pages="ePub-ePub",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Public safety relies on the efficient apprehension of non-compliant suspects. However, quantifying the minimum force required to destabilize an actively resistive suspect has remained a challenge. <br><br>OBJECTIVE: To examine the technical-tactical behaviors of general duty police officers during simulated apprehensions and quantify the minimum force required to destabilize non-compliant suspects. <br><br>METHODS: Task simulations conducted with 91 officers were analyzed to identify common grappling movements, strikes, control tactics, and changes in body posture. A separate assessment of 55 male officers aimed to determine the minimum force required for destabilization in five body regions (wrist, forearm, shoulder, mid-chest, and mid-back). Data are presented as mean±standard deviation. <br><br>RESULTS: On average, apprehensions took 7.3±3.2 seconds. While all officers used grappling movements (100%) and the majority employed control tactics (75%), strikes were seldom used (4%). Apprehensions typically began with a two-handed pull (97%; Contact Phase), 55% then attempted an arm bar takedown, followed by a two-handed cross-body pull (68%; Transition/Control Phase), and a two-handed push to the ground (19%; Ground Phase). All officers began in the upright posture, with most shifting to squat (75%), kneel (58%), or bent (45%) postures to complete the apprehension. The minimum force required to disrupt balance differed across body regions (wrist: 54±12 kg; forearm: 49±12 kg; shoulder: 42±10 kg; mid-chest: 44±11 kg; mid-back: 30±7 kg, all P <  0.05), except between the shoulder and chest (P = 0.19). <br><br>CONCLUSION: These findings provide insights that can enhance the design and accuracy of future apprehension evaluations and inform the optimization of law enforcement physical employment standards.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1051-9815",
doi="10.3233/WOR-230307",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.3233/WOR-230307"
}