Electronic Control Devices & Injury Impact: An Analysis Of Secondary Data From The Arlington Police Department

Abstract

For law enforcement officers, the necessity to utilize force against a citizen is a powerful aspect of the job. Recent technological advances in force options contribute to the delicate balance of a police officer and using force against a citizen. The Electronic Control Device (ECD) is one such tool of technological advancement. With the introduction of the ECD a fierce argument has emerged challenging the efficacy and safety of the devices. The Arlington Police Department deploys ECD's to its officers as a part of the daily issued equipment. The purpose of this research project is to analyze the usage of the ECD within the Arlington, Texas Police Department. This project conducts secondary data review of force usage incidents as they relate to ECD injuries upon a subject. The purpose of this project is to determine if ECD's cause an increase in the rate of injury upon force recipients by the Arlington Police Department. The study will also seek to predict the occurrence of subject injury from a set of controlling variables. The project will test the hypothesis, which suggests ECD usage does not result in a higher rate of injury to force recipients.