Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Use of Force Report

When officers respond to emergencies that put them and the public in high-stress environments, they must make quick decisions that are in the best interests of everyone involved. Officers must rely on training, morale, and guidance from their agencies to determine the best, most appropriate response. Multiple factors play into the officer’s decisions on how to react, including cultural instincts, systemic culture, and organizational culture, which all guide quick decision-making. The “use of force” becomes necessary only as a last resource for police officers, although no universally agreed-upon definition exists. According to The International Association of Chiefs of Police, use of force means the “amount of effort required by police to compel com- pliance by an unwilling subject”.1 Research on police force becomes critical to under- standing the legal framework and societal impacts of how and why law enforcement apply force during an incident. More specifically, how does the frequency and perception of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department using force impact community trust and cooperation in diverse communities?