Speech Story

In a public forum hosted by the WSU Police Advisory Board September 8, WSU Police Officer Kelly Stewart explained non-lethal action and Pullman Police Officer Scott Kirk described non-lethal equipment in the CUB lounge.

“If an officer has the authority to make a detention… they have the authority to use force of the threat of force,” Stewart said.

Stewart went on to explain that the officer’s actions must be reasonable and “necessary” in response to the use of force situation. The term “necessary” also entails that no reasonable effective alternative appears to exist.

Citing Supreme Court cases Graham v. Conner (1989) and Tennessee v. Garner (1985), Stewart explained how the most recent Supreme Court standard was set.

Stewart said that the use of force continuum varies from state to state and from agency to agency but gives framework officers can reference to determine the appropriate amount of force for a given situation.

Stewart did note that the continuum doesn’t directly take into account any known violent history of the subject, the duration of the action, the physical condition or size of the suspect in relation to the officer or the ago of the subject in relation to the officer.

Kirk said the Pullman Police Department continuum is used mostly for training, reference and as a reason to justify actions.

Kirk also described a variety of gasses and pepper sprays, smoke and pyrotechnic grenades and specialty impact munitions.

When selecting which less-lethal option to use, the decision is up to the officer in the situation, Kirk said. However, the officer should first determine the environment in order to choose between various calibers, propellants and projectiles.

A highlight of the public forum was when Brandon Wilson, a junior criminal justice major, got Tased as an example for forum attendees to witness the experience first-hand. Supported by two policemen, Wilson stood with his back to the crowd as Kirk aimed the Taser at Wilson’s upper back and fired. After a few seconds of tense reaction, Wilson dropped to the ground.

After recovering, Wilson said he would rather be Tased than sprayed with pepper spray due to the shorter reaction time. Wilson said that students shouldn’t take either lightly, “If anybody pulls out OC [gas] or Taser, just get on the ground.”

In reference to the Taser, Kirk said, “It’s not the volts that are dangerous. It’s the amps.”

Kirk also said that as word spreads throughout the public about Tasers, fewer people are resisting police because they know there is a possibility they could be Tased.

Bill Gardner, the WSU Chief of Police said the WSU Police Advisory Board hosted the public forum with the underlying goal to allow students more face-to-face time with officers because they want students to get to know the officers on campus.

Because there are many misconceptions about what police can and will do, Kirk wants students to know that officers have a lot of choices and that they try to use the minimum amount of force necessary.


Sources:
Kelly Stewart: 509-335-4408
Scott Kirk: 509-332-2521
Bill Gardner: 509-335-8548
Brandon Wilson: banw83@msn.com

3 questions:

1. How do you determine what method of force to use in a given situation?
2. Is the Pullman police department continuum the same as WSU's? Why or why not?
3. How often are Tasers or gas used in your program? In what way?