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Psychological Aspects of the Use of Firearms by the Police

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Police Conflict Management, Volume I

Abstract

The use of firearms by the police is a course of action that is probably the most severe option at their disposal. Other than in the USA, the use of firearms by the police is only taken in the rarest of occasions in the European jurisdictions. This chapter begins with an outline of the research pertaining to this subject area. Subsequently, the situation concerning the use of firearms by the police in Germany and Europe is described. Building on this foundation, the authors describe several fundamental scientific findings on aspects of particular importance before (basic and advanced training), during (deciding, experiencing, and hitting), and after shooting (consequences for shooters and targeted persons). The chapter concludes with an overview of the current state of research with regard to various problems associated with the use of firearms by the police.

Reviewer: Johan Martinus Ras

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Although the firearm is part of the standard equipment of police officers in many countries, there are also countries, such as the United Kingdom, where only specific police units carry firearms. Nevertheless, the use of a firearm is one of the most drastic acts of a police officer and the most significant interference with the rights of a citizen.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hessische Hochschule für öffentliches Management und Sicherheit, Gießen, Germany

    Clemens Lorei

  2. Hessische Hochschule für öffentliches Management und Sicherheit, Mühlheim am Main, Germany

    Kristina Balaneskovic

  3. Department of Operational Psychology, Bundeswehr Military Police Command, Hannover, Germany

    Robert-J. Gorzka

Authors
  1. Clemens Lorei
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  2. Kristina Balaneskovic
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  3. Robert-J. Gorzka
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Correspondence to Kristina Balaneskovic .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Applied Sciences for Police and Public Administration North Rhine-Westphalia, Cologne, Germany

    Mario S. Staller

  2. German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany

    Swen Koerner

  3. Aurora, ON, Canada

    Benni Zaiser

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Lorei, C., Balaneskovic, K., Gorzka, RJ. (2023). Psychological Aspects of the Use of Firearms by the Police. In: Staller, M.S., Koerner, S., Zaiser, B. (eds) Police Conflict Management, Volume I. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-41096-3_5

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