The Use of Force in Criminal Justice

Richard M. Hough

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Paperback

Forthcoming
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English

Routledge
25 March 2025

Police & security services; Criminology: legal aspects; Juvenile criminal law; Medical ethics & professional conduct; Nursing

This text addresses the how, why, and when of utilizing force against citizens in a democracy. This second edition of the first true textbook on this topic offers students and instructors a balanced, research-based approach to understanding the use of force in law enforcement, as well as in corrections and juvenile justice settings. Hough includes features to reinforce key concepts, including “What-Why,” “Try This,” “Going Global,” and “Research Results” boxes.

The Use of Force in Criminal Justice combines academic and practitioner perspectives, making the book well-suited for undergraduate and graduate courses in criminal justice as well as professional training and executive education. The text is accompanied by online resources such as PowerPoints, lesson notes, and a test bank. It is an invaluable aid for force trainers, risk managers, and attorneys who must understand the research on force and force issues rather than the rhetoric of individual anecdotes and personal system-of-force concepts.

By: Richard M. Hough
Imprint: Routledge
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Edition: 2nd edition
Dimensions: Height: 254mm, Width: 178mm,
ISBN: 9781032632742
ISBN 10: 1032632747
Pages: 216
Publication Date: 25 March 2025
Audience: College/higher education , Primary
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Chapter 1 - Considering the use of force in criminal justice Chapter 2 - The law and the use of force Chapter 3 - The construction and content of force policies Chapter 4 - The use of less lethal force Chapter 5 - The use of lethal force Chapter 6 – Human Factors and Human Performance Chapter 7 – Training to use force and force continuums Chapter 8 - Use of force in law enforcement Chapter 9 - Use of force in corrections Chapter 10 - Force by tactical teams Chapter 11 - Force and special populations Chapter 12 – The future is now

Richard M. Hough is Professor of Practice in the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology at East Tennessee State University. Dr. Hough was a career-long law enforcement and corrections practitioner, administrator, and trainer, and he continues to consult in the areas of criminal justice management, policy, security practices, and use of force. A law enforcement officer beginning in 1979, he has been a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) since 1987. He has taught police defensive tactics and force dynamics at the police academy for 35 years. He is an active expert witness in the US federal court system, focusing mainly on the use of force, police and corrections practices, and criminal investigations. He is the author or co-author of five textbooks. Hough has been named International Ambassador of the British Society of Criminology, and in his role as BSC Ambassador, he spent the 2019 Fall semester visiting and lecturing at institutions throughout the United Kingdom.

Reviews for The Use of Force in Criminal Justice

“Recent events in the US and wider world have emphasized just how critical and controversial the use of force by state agents can be in a democracy and in the full glare of contemporary media. Few writers are as well-qualified or experienced as Richard Hough in analyzing these issues and setting them in context. One of the great merits of this highly readable and thoroughly researched book is that while readers might not always agree with all of his answers, it is abundantly clear that he is asking the right questions.” – Peter Squires, Professor of Criminology & Public Policy, University of Brighton; President: British Society for Criminology 2015–2018 “Police use of force has always been a potential hot-button topic, but given greater media attention due to captured recordings of force incidents in recent years, this issue has taken center stage. Enter Richard Hough’s examination of police use of force, which approaches the topic from a variety of angles and is a welcome addition to the literature. I encourage those interested in police use of force to check out the book and begin thinking critically about the myriad complexities at hand.” – William Terrill, Professor, School of Criminology & Criminal Justice, Arizona State University “Dr. Richard Hough brings both practical and academic insight to the raw subject of police force. In this captivating work, he wastes no time tackling the pertinent, often uncomfortable issues we must face as a society: Who are the police supposed to be? To what degree is force a component of the profession and why? If force events are each unique and dynamic--and now almost universally captured on video--how do we explain reasonable force to our public, especially when it’s ugly? This book is for cops, yes, but it’s equally suited to concerned citizens and policy makers. Dr. Hough brings considerable light to otherwise obscured and complicated issues. Highly recommended.” – Lt. Jim Glennon (ret.), Co-Owner of Calibre Press, Author of Arresting Communication: Essential Interaction Skills for Law Enforcement and Co-Author of the 2018 edition of Street Survival: Tactics for Deadly Force Encounters