Revenge Effects and Electronic Control Weapons: A Cautionary Tale about the Unintended Consequences of Technology in the American Justice System

Abstract

Nonlethal weapons, such as electronic control devices (ECWs), have become increasingly commonplace in American law enforcement as our society seeks to reduce citizen injuries and deaths at the hands of the police. There is reason to suspect, however, that police possession of nonlethal weapons such as ECWs can sometimes increase the likelihood that a citizen will suffer serious injury or death during an interaction with the police. This paper lays out the theoretical basis for this suspicion and presents empirical evidence that the presence of ECWs has led police officers to shoot citizens in numerous cases where they otherwise would not have discharged their firearms. Police leaders—and policy makers throughout the criminal justice system—should carefully consider the potential downside(s) of given technologies before adopting them and seek means to ameliorate negative consequences if they opt to use them.