Case Study 1

T
Running Head: CASE STUDY










Case Study
Steven Griffiths
CJA444
Michael Raneses
University of Phoenix
6/3/13








Case Study 2

The events surrounding the case study of Racin Ray may seem simple, cut and dry, but in fact
there is a little more depth to what actually happened. Lets look at the first issue, the Patrol Deputy had
his un trained, non-police dog with him out on patrol. One could argue that he wanted to be a K-9
handler, and is simply taking his dog on the road with him for some on the job training, however bneing
that the dog is not trained and un predictable it leaves him and the department open to a lawsuit if
anything were to actually happen. The second issue is that he is carrying a less lethal Electronic Control
Device (Taser) and is not trained in the proper use of such a device. While being in possession of a Taser
is not in itself is not inherently bad, but not being trained in the proper operation, application, or removal
of the probes could result in serious injury, or even death although that outcome is rare at best. The
Deputies use of force, I believe was completely within regulations because: When a suspect has
opportunity, means, and intent you are only left with one optionto fire your weapon. Although there
were specific guidelines, in place for the firing of warning shots, an alternative would have been to shoot
the driver directly through the windshield, this ending the head on collision. Police enforce social order
through the legitimized use of force. Use of force describes the "amount of effort required by police to
compel compliance by an unwilling subject". The levels, or continuum, of force police use include basic
verbal and physical restraint, less-lethal force and lethal force. ("Police Use Of Force", 2012). As far as
the pursuit is concerned, the necessity of the pursuit is largely dependent on the crime that may or may
not have been committed.
If it was a simple burglary, he could have chased long enough to get a license plate number and
then broken off the pursuit, and arrested him another day, or the next day. As the lieutenant on duty he
should have been able to make a snap judgment call that would have worked out best for everyone, a
failure to make a call could have resulted in damage to property, or loss of life, over something that may
or may not have been a crime being committed at all. Policies and procedures are in place to protect you
as the officer, and you as the citizen, the biggest policy of any law enforcement agency is to announce
who you are, and who you are with (local police, sheriff, state trooper etc.) if you dont let them know
who you are, they can assume you are someone pretending to be a cop, or someone out for vigilante
Case Study 3

justice. The officers actions with his dog, and the taser are completely cowboy ones, and would be (and
should) be treated as actions not in compliance with department policy and procedure. The action taken
with a warning shot (although wrong) should have been a shot to kill, as stated earlier the suspect had
opportunity, means, and intent to harm the Deputy and he needed to do what was necessary to protect
himself.
With all said and done, as a law enforcement officer you get but a split second to make a
decision, while everyone else gets years to pick it apart, and arm chair quarterback your decisions for
your actions taken. Go with your instinct, and if your wrong, you get a chance to explain it all. Just keep
the interest of the public in mind, as well as your own safety in any hostile situation.


Police Use of Force. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.nij.gov/topics/law-enforcement/officer-
safety/use-of-force/welcome.htm