Citation

Kantor MA, Reiner S, Pettitt RW. Police Pract. Res. 2024; 25(1): 101-109.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2024, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/15614263.2023.2222872

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The study evaluated firearm draw performance (FDP), trigger cadence (TC), and survivability rate (SR) against charging knife attacks (KA) from different distances utilizing different movement tactics. Twenty active-duty law enforcement officers (age = 36.9±10.6 y.) outfitted with wearable motion sensors and a practice pistol executed three randomized defensive tactics against an attacker charging from four distances armed with a rubber knife. FDP during the charging KA trials spanned between 0.87 and 1.19 s, compared to the baseline FDP (no duress) of 1.41 ± 0.3 s. TC was between 0.21 and 0.29 s to discharge two rounds. Using a firearm from 30 ft had 100% SR, 21 ft had 95% SR, 15 ft had 58.33% SR, and 10 ft had 15% SR. Backward (72.5%) was the safest movement response, followed by lateral (71.25%), then stationary (57.5%). Improving FDP around 1s, a lateral or backward movement in response to getting charged, and shortening the firearm draw, specifically at 21 ft and closer are recommended against KAs.

Language: en

Keywords

firearm draw performance; knife attacks; police education; police training; use of force