Saving Lives

While many police officers are still getting comfortable with the idea of carrying less than lethal weapons (LLW), it is unarguable to dispute the lives the weapons are saving. Twenty years ago, if an officer had to un-holster a weapon to deal with an intoxicated individual, it may have ended in blood shed. These occurrences have been put in the past. No longer do innocent lives have to be taken because of the inebriated actions of drunken individuals attacking officers. And officers no longer have to share the burden of taking a father, brother, and son away from loved ones. The consequences of using a LLW over a deadly weapon brings about the best possible outcome, life.

An officers well being is also being spared with the use of LLW’s. Officers are no longer expected to detain an attacking offender with their bare hands or a night stick. With the use of oleoresin capsicum or pepper spray, officers can suspend an attackers advancement from 12 feet away. The attacker may feel discomfort from the LLW, but the cost of his own life or the life of the officer makes it priceless. One may dispute the ethical concern of the attacker stopping before the 12feet, but at what risk to the officer.

LLW’s also assist in preventing suicide by cop. If an individual attempts to provoke officers to kill him, deadly force is no longer the only option. Officers now have the alternative choice of using many different less lethal weapons. The most prevalent is the 12 gage shoot gun, loaded with a less than lethal bean bag. This weapon is effective from twenty one feet or greater. Ultimately, saving the life of the offender and leaving the officer out of harms way.

Comparative Study