How do the effects of Non-Lethal and Lethal weaponry compare?
Non-Lethal: Not using weapon for the purpose of killing, but temporarily disabling so that an arrest can be made. This can
also be used in general control such as riots where deadly force is not needed and will result on penalties.
Lethal: Using pistol or other weapon for purpose of killing in self defense.
Deadly force with Non-Lethal:
weapons aren't used for Deadly force (a situation in which the officer must defend him or her self
by firing there weapon). However, they have been known to accidentally cause death if fired incorrectly
or heavily overused.
Deadly force with Lethal:
Pistols are fired to kill. However, an officer should only fire when it is absolutely needed because
of problems that may arise with the killing of a person.
Cost of Non-Lethal:
Non-Lethal: Non-Lethal weapons may cost more now because they are newly in development and you with some weapons, you have to buy
ammunition and the guns designed to fire them are accident prone. Maintainence may be higher because
most weapons are specially made or are made from things that cost more than bullets. Training may cost slightly more
because people have to be hired to have the weapons tested on them.
Non-Lethal Weapons have an huge advantage in general though because a lot of money is given to families
that have lost loved ones due to use of lethal force. This way the families will have no reason to sue.
Cost of Lethal:
Since most kinds of Lethal weapons have been around for hundreds of years they are fully in development and don't cost that much.
However, use of deadly force can result in court settlements that may cost a lot of money.
Effects on officers with Non-Lethal:
Since officers sometimes put suspects in an armlock to arrest them, I don't think they'd have a problem
with hurting a person and ending the situation easily.
Effects on officers with Lethal:
Officers have a much harder time deaing with killing someone rather than bruising them. An officer killing someone
is a life changing experience for them and can cause depression and bad publicity.
As you can see, even though they are still in development, non lethal weapons are favored because their cost, effectiveness, and effect on an officer's morale after using them.
