RT Article
T1 Throwing a chair could save officers’ lives during room entries
JF International journal of police science & management
VO 19
IS 2
SP 110
OP 119
A1 Blair, J. Pete
A2 Martaindale, M. Hunter
LA English
YR 2017
UL https://krimdok.uni-tuebingen.de/Record/1764353080
AB Law enforcement officers are sometimes required to perform building searches and room entries to search for, or apprehend, suspects. There have been several instances where officers have been shot while performing a room entry. To date, no research has sought to study methods to improve officer safety while performing room entries. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to assess the efficacy of utilizing everyday objects as a distraction device to slow the reaction speed of hostile suspects and give law enforcement officers a time advantage. The research utilizes a 1 × 2 experimental design with random assignment to conditions. A sample size of 113 is utilized to conduct the study. Data are presented using both a Bayesian and Frequentist style of analysis. The research suggests that law enforcement officers can slow suspect reaction times by deploying basic distraction techniques. The process of slowing suspect reaction time may save officer lives by allowing the officer to enter and assess the room while the suspect is distracted. The data utilized in this experiment and analyses can be accessed through email with the corresponding author.
K1 Policing
K1 Experimental design
K1 Reaction time
K1 room entry
K1 Tactics
DO 10.1177/1461355717711452