Boot Camp Death Leads to Questions in the Use of Force

Juvenile justice expert and professor, Dr. Andrew Edelman, provides insights on how officers can utilize the ‘Use-of-Force’ matrix to determine how to deal with an uncooperative subject.

Orlando, Florida (PRWEB) March 16, 2006 –- The second autopsy of Martin Lee Anderson, the teen who died at a Bay County Sheriff’s Office boot camp, indicates his death was caused by a beating and not a sickle cell trait. A videotape of the incident shows officers kicking and striking Anderson, after he stopped his exercises.

Dr. Andrew Edelman, a criminal justice professor said, “The instant a subject complies and stops resisting, the officer must turn off the force.” This case raises questions about how much force an officer can use, and whether the subject was resisting or exhibiting an amount of aggression necessary for the use of physical force. According to Dr. Edelman, the ‘Use-of-Force’ matrix is a system that can help officers and law enforcement employees determine how much force is needed to subdue a subject. The matrix provides steps that help officers examine each situation for the necessary physical action to be taken.

“Despite the extraordinary challenges that these officers face, they are still held to a higher standard and must adhere to the guidelines set by criminal justice standards in their state,” said Dr. Edelman, a certified law enforcement officer in Florida.

For additional information on the ‘Use-of-Force’ matrix, the steps involved and how they are used, please contact Patricia F. Klier at PR/PR.

About Dr. Andrew Edelman:

Dr. Andrew Edelman has more than 20 years of experience in conflict management and juvenile justice. He has helped schools, universities, government and business organizations such as AT&T, Johnson & Johnson and the United Way. A certified law enforcement officer, Dr. Edelman serves as a consultant with the National Association for Bank Security. He is a graduate of Carnegie-Mellon University and has a Master’s degree from the University of Southern California. Dr. Edelman currently teaches criminal justice for the University of Phoenix.

Contact:

Patricia F. Klier, Manager

PR/PR Public Relations

800-786-1764

www.prpr.net

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