An Evaluation of Light Positioning on Suspect Accuracy in Low Light Environments

Abstract

Police are sometimes required to conduct searches for hostile suspects or clear a building when an alarm sounds. These searches often times occur in low light conditions. Police will routinely use a flashlight to help with the search. This study evaluates three of the most commonly taught flashlight tactics to assess if any can reduce the likelihood of a police officer being shot by a hostile suspect. The study utilized a randomized controlled trial (n = 236) with random assignment to three test conditions. Ultimately, the study found the Dagger technique reduced the likelihood that participants playing the role of a hostile suspect would successfully shoot the officer in a controlled setting. This finding can directly impact how police officers are trained to operate in low light settings.