Victim‐precipitated homicide: police use of deadly force in British Columbia

Abstract

This study examines the underlying reasons for the police use of deadly force and potential deadly force, in the Province of British Columbia, Canada, during the period 1980‐94. Within this context, interactional violence and the phenomenon of victim‐precipitated homicide are examined in relation to the police use of deadly force. This study analyzes 58 separate documented incidents in which municipal and Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers, within the Province of British Columbia, have been confronted by a potentially lethal threat. In 27 of these incidents, the police responded by discharging their firearms and killing a total of 28 people. The remaining 31 cases that were examined reflect incidents in which the police responded with less‐lethal force. Through the examination of police investigations, verdict‐at‐coroner’s‐inquest reports, BC Police Commission data and interviews with police officers, this study reveals that, in roughly half of the cases examined (N = 28), the police reacted to a potentially lethal threat of victim‐precipitated homicide. These are incidents in which despondent individuals suffering from suicidal tendencies, mental illness, or extreme substance abuse, acted in a calculated and deliberate manner so as to force the police to use potential or deadly force. The study recommends that police personnel within the Province of British Columbia should be given further alternatives to the standard‐issue firearm, when responding to potentially lethal threats. Non‐lethal tools of compliance should be made readily available to the operational police officer with a view to providing alternatives to the traditional use of deadly force. In addition, the training of police personnel should emphasize non‐violent strategies in dealing with irrational individuals who are suicidal, mentally disordered and/or intoxicated.

Suicide by Cop: Police shooting as a method of self-harming

“…Unique to SbC subjects is the use of an "outrageous act" such as committing a violent crime that triggers law enforcement involvement in the SbC incident (Drylie, 2006;Lord, 2004;Mohandie & Meloy, 2000). The verbalization of the subject's desire to die by forcing police officers to shoot and/or life threatening behavior toward police or other citizens (that comes to the attention of the police) also appears to be unique to SbC subjects (Hutson et al, 1998;Lord, 2001;Parent & Verdun-Jones;). In addition, prevalent among SbC subjects is their general attachment with other people.…”

“…Researchers (Drylie, 2006;Homant & Kennedy, 2000;Lord, 2000Lord, , 2004Parent & Verdun-Jones, 1998) have concluded that there are a number of individual and situational factors that are unique to SbC subjects, as well as factors that are shared with other suicidal victims. Criminal history and a criminal act preceding (and often precipitating) the lethal act are prevalent among SbC subjects.…”

“…Suicide by Cop (SbC) incidents, police shootings that could be considered suicides due to the subject's precipitated actions that demonstrate suicidal motivations through words or behavior (Homant & Kennedy, 2000;Hutson et al, 1998;Lord, 2000;Lord, 2004;Parent & Verdun-Jones, 1998), are difficult to classify because they involve many of the complexities surrounding the study of suicide including no living subjects. When there are living subjects because attempts of self-inflicted and SbC suicides are interrupted, intent possibly can be examined.…”

Qualitative Study of Suicidality and Help‐Seeking Behaviors in African American Adolescents

“…Other research indirectly suggests that African American youth may view suicide as more stigmatizing in that African American youth are more likely to deny suicide intent, even after making a suicide attempt (Summerville et al 1992;Forbes et al 1999). Research suggests they may also engage in ''disguised'' suicidal behaviors in the form of ''victim-precipitated homicides'' in which the victim intentionally engages in behavior in a life-threatening context that almost guarantees that another person (e.g., police officer) will kill the victim (Parent 1999). Information was obtained from focus groups because this methodology particularly lends itself to exploring specific aspects of the social and attitudinal contexts of the church and allows us to explore those aspects of the church context that may either support or hinder help-seeking behaviors in adolescents.…”

Introduction: Suicidal Behaviors in the African American Community

“…Others have wondered whether African American suicides may be "disguised" in the form of "victim-precipitated homicides" (Garrison, Addy, Jackson, McKeown, & Waller, 1991). Victim-precipitated homicide is viewed essentially as an act of suicide because the victim intentionally engages in behavior in a life-threatening context that almost guarantees that another person (e.g., police officer) will kill the victim (Parent, 1999;Wolfgang, 1958). Although it has been estimated that nearly 30% of urban homicides are victim-precipitated (Van Zandt, 1993), it is not formally recognized as a form of suicide.…”