Time, position, and action: how suspect resistance and officer tactics shape weaponless physical encounter outcomes in China

Weaponless physical encounters between police and suspects are among the most dangerous scenarios in law enforcement and the most difficult to train for. A key challenge is the lack of granular data on the dynamic interplay of position and action that determines outcomes. This study overcomes this limitation by integrating combat sports analytics with systematic social observation of video data. We analyze 102 use-of-force cases for 2023 from a nationally curated Chinese database, and employ a rigorous coding framework to dissect suspect resistance (standing/ground position and defensive/aggressive action) and officer tactics. Prolonged encounters are linked to suspect shoving, ground scuffling, and hiding arms. Police takedowns and tactical surprise tactics significantly reduce encounter durations. Male suspects are associated with faster resolutions, and ground-control tactics markedly lower failure risks. Our findings provide precise, evidence-based guidance for tactical training, unequivocally establishing the effectiveness of takedowns and ground control in achieving rapid suspect incapacitation.