Less-Lethal Technologies
Police officers sometimes need to control violent, combative people. Their actions under such circumstances are governed by use-of-force protocols.
Less-lethal technologies give police an alternative to lethal force. The technologies currently in use include stun guns, beanbag rounds, pepper spray and stun grenades.
These technologies are especially valuable when lethal force—
- Is not necessary.
- Is justified and available for backup, but lesser force may resolve the situation.
- Is justified, but its use could cause serious injury to bystanders or other unacceptable collateral effects.
NIJ Focuses on Making Arrests Safer
The goal of NIJ's less-lethal program is to provide law enforcement and corrections officers with equipment that protects them and the public, reducing the possibility of injury or death. NIJ collaborates with international experts from various fields (for example, medical, scientific, military) when conducting or coordinating research.
Prominent areas of inquiry include:
- Enabling law enforcement and corrections agencies to safely deny individuals or groups access to areas.
- Making projectiles safe at any distance by modeling the technology and techniques that officers can use to deliver less-lethal force.
- Understanding the human health effects of less-lethal technologies, including chemical, kinetic energy and Conducted Energy Devices such as Tasers.
- Analyzing information about incidents of the use-of-force against humans, including the nature of the force applied and the nature of injuries suffered.