Download
1 / 51
510 likes | 658 Views
Officer Richard Neil. 11-10 Observation, Perception, & Description. OBSERVATION DEFINED:. TO PERCEIVE TO WATCH ATTENTIVELY TO MAKE A SYSTEMATIC OR SCIENTIFIC EXAMINATION OF AN EVENT. What’s for Sale in Town?. The Room. Suspect Description. Suspect Description?. 3 STAGES OF OBSERVATION .
E N D
Officer Richard Neil 11-10 Observation, Perception, & Description
OBSERVATION DEFINED: • TO PERCEIVE • TO WATCH ATTENTIVELY • TO MAKE A SYSTEMATIC OR SCIENTIFIC EXAMINATION OF AN EVENT
3 STAGES OF OBSERVATION • ATTENTION • PERCEPTION • REPORTING
3 PHASES OF ATTENTION • INVOLUNTARY • VOLUNTARY • HABITUAL
FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE PHASES OF ATTENTION • SIZE • CHANGE • INTEREST • PHYSICAL CONDITIONING • SUGGESTION • REPETITION
TWO BASIC PROBLEMS WITH MAKING ACCURATE USEFUL OBSERVATION • MUCH OF WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO THE POLICE OFFICER IS OFTEN OBSCURED BY IRRELEVANT OBJECTS, OR EVENTS • IT IS OFTEN DIFFICULT TO TELL, AT THE TIME OF AN OCCURRENCE, WHAT WILL BE IMPORTANT LATER
5 OBSTACLES OF ACCURATE OBSERVATION • PREDJUDICE • PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS • EXTERNAL FACTORS • PAST EXPERIENCES • DISTRACTING INFLUENCES
EXAMPLES OF COMMON PERCEPTION ERRORS • SOUNDS • ODORS • FEELING OR TOUCH • PASSAGE OF TIME • SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS
8 KEY FACTORS THAT AFFECT PERCEPTION • PAST EXPERIENCES • MATURITY • MENTAL CONDITION • EMOTIONAL INVOLVEMENT • PHYSICAL CONDITIONING • TRAINING • CULTURAL BACKGROUND • ETHNIC BACKGROUND
POLICE AUTHORITY TO DETAIN Terry v. Ohio, 1968 In Terry, the US Supreme Court upheld the authority of the police to stop or detain (or seize) a person where the officer observes unusual conduct which leads the officer reasonably to conclude, in light of his/her experience (including training), that criminal activity may be afoot. “Terry Stop” vs. “Terry Frisk”
Reasonable Suspicion + Armed & Dangerous = FRISK • Terry requires an officer to articulate a reasonable belief that a suspect is armed and poses a threat before the officer is permitted to conduct a limited “Pat Down” of the suspect’s outer clothing. • Just because I can “Terry Stop” someone doesn’t automatically give me the right to frisk them for a weapon.
POLICE AUTHORITY TO DETAIN Terry v. Ohio, 1968 • While an officer may want to conduct a frisk for “officer safety” purposes, the law requires more than that. • Reasonable suspicion that someone’s presently armed and dangerous is just what it sounds like, but most importantly, the officer has to have facts to support that conclusion.
POLICE AUTHORITY TO DETAIN Terry v. Ohio, 1968 • Search or “Frisk” is going to be limited to searching for hard objects… • That the suspect could use to hurt the officer like guns, pocket knives, mace, clubs, etc… • Not limited to just those things we ordinarily think are weapons… • It could also be things like car keys or pens because those could hurt an officer as well…
