Research Brief
Principal Researcher(s)
Daniel Haynes

Project Sponsor
Cameron Kowalski

Instructor
Marie Graf

Research Field
Long Range Less Lethal
Weapons: Best Practices
in Implementation

Program
Bachelor of Law
Enforcement Studies

Course
LAWS
4003

Long Range Less Lethal Weapons
Best Practices in Implementation
Research Problem & Rationale for Study
Law enforcement officers are frequently faced with situations where they
might prefer to use a TASER to neutralize a dangerous suspect instead of
using a firearm. But because of the limited range of TASERs (30 feet), and
a concern for officer safety, officers can’t always do that. Long range less
lethal weapons are a solution to that problem. Having been inspired by
body camera footage of officers in this situation, my research focused on
understanding what options for long range less lethal weaponry were in
use, and how agencies could implement them.
Methods
I selected, reviewed, and analyzed existing research articles to determine
the effectiveness of existing long range less lethal weapons. Through
analysis of the research, I observed common themes throughout the
articles and made recommendations based on those themes.
Results/Findings
My analysis found that less lethal weapons can be lethal or harmful in any
situation. I also found that it is important for law enforcement to be
educated about less lethal weapons, and that training in those weapons is
crucial. It is also very important for law enforcement agencies to equip
their officers with long range less lethal weapons at all levels, and to do so
quickly and efficiently. Finally, I found that law enforcement officers need
to have multiple less lethal weapon options available to them, so they can
adapt to diverse situations and suspects.
Conclusions / Recommendations

Funding Sources
N/A: Course-based
Project.

Through my research, I found that this topic requires further study. It
appeared that most of the existing research dates to the early 2000’s. I
also found that many law enforcement agencies that have long range less
lethal options use projectile weapons like a bean bag shotgun. While the
shotgun is a good temporary solution, better options should be
researched. Along with more research, additional less lethal weapons
should be developed.

Research Brief
Structured Abstract
Introduction: Law enforcement officers are limited in their capacity for
neutralizing violent suspects by the range of their less lethal weapons. TASERs, a
very common type of less lethal weapon, have a range of approximately 30 feet.
This research project sought to study long range less lethal weapons, to discover
what weapons are being used, and to make recommendations on how agencies
could implement long range less lethal weapons. This was done by answering the
research question, “what best practice approaches can law enforcement adopt when
implementing the use of long range less lethal weapons?”

Methods: Academic articles were selected, reviewed, and analyzed to determine
what types of long range less lethal weapons were in use across multiple
jurisdictions, and to seek out best practices for the implementation of such weapons
by law enforcement agencies. The project used qualitative methods and inductive
coding to find three key themes across the literature.

Results/Findings: It was found that less lethal weapons are very capable of
causing lasting harm or death. Education and training in long range less lethal
weapons is extremely important for law enforcement officers. Law enforcement
agencies should equip all their officers with long range less lethal weapons in an
efficient manner. Finally, law enforcement officers need to be equipped with a
variety of less lethal options to be able to adapt to varied scenarios.

Discussion: Giving law enforcement officers access to long range less lethal
weapons could save lives. Officers would be more capable of neutralizing dangerous
suspects from a safe distance, likely reducing the number of fatal police shootings.

Practical Applications: If long range less lethal weapons are given to front line
officers, safety for both officers and suspects will probably increase.

References:
Cummings, G.D. (October, 2002). Increasing Less-Lethal Options for Patrol: What
are The Legal and Moral Obligations for The Garland Police Department and
Other Agencies? Retrieved from:
https://shsuir.tdl.org/shsuir/bitstream/handle/20.500.11875/1213/0825.pdf?s
equence=1.
Voiglio, E. J., Frattini, B., Dörrzapf, J., Breteau, J., Miras, A., & Caillot, J. (2004).
Ballistic Study of The SAPL GC27 Gun: Is It Really "Nonlethal"?. World
Journal of Surgery, 28(4), 402-405.