Use of Force by Male and Female Officers: Rates, Modalities, Effectiveness, and Injuries

The source article examined sex differences in: (1) use-of-force rates, (2) the use of different intervention options, (3) the effectiveness of different intervention options, and (4) subject and officer injury rates. Female officers were less prone to using force and prefer techniques requiring less physical strength (e.g., intermediate weapons), resulting in fewer injuries to suspects but a higher likelihood of sustaining injuries themselves. Police services may want to consider increased training in control techniques, like those used in jiujitsu, which are effective regardless of someone’s strength or build. There is a benefit associated with intermediate weapons, such as conducted energy weapons (CEWs), in achieving a balance between effectiveness and injury rates. Police services should equip officers with intermediate weapons and ensure officers receive proper training on their use.