2021 Annual Report

Statistical Review of NOPD's Use of Force

SECTION III: FORCE BY OUTCOME

Force by Type and Effectiveness

FIGURE 14: UOF EFFECTIVENESS BY TYPE

OIPM and NOPD have discussed that NOPD has no consistent internal definition for the terms “effective”, “not effective”, and “limited effectiveness”. The service provider that provides NOPD’s use of force tracking software suggested the following definitions:

  • Effective: The force used resulted in stopping the threat or action so no further force was necessary.
  • Not Effective: The force used did not end the threat, and additional force options had to be utilized to end the threat, or the suspect/combatant escaped.
  • Limited Effectiveness: The force used initially resulted in compliance, but the suspect/combatant overcame the force, created an additional threat which resulted in additional force or he escaped.

Based on comments received from NOPD, it is unlikely that these definitions are known and used by the entire police force.

FIGURE 15: NOPD's Disposition of Use of Force

Officer Injuries

FIGURE 16: UOF LEADING TO OFFICER INJURY

Individual Injury

FIGURE 17: UOF LEADING TO INDIVIDUAL INJURY