Impact of Alcohol and Substance Use on Subject and Deputy Injury during Use of Force Events

Background: Use of force (UOF) techniques are used by law enforcement to gain control of non-compliant subjects. It is believed that suspected alcohol and substance use often leads to more forceful restraint methods. The purpose of this study was to assess the association between suspected alcohol or substance use and subject and deputy injury during these events. Methods: This is a retrospective cross-sectional study using non-lethal UOF from January-June of 2009 by a law enforcement agency serving a population of 2.7 million. A standard data collection tool was utilized by deputies when UOF was used and included basic demographic data, the UOF applied, subject response, and if there were any injuries to the subject or officers involved. Descriptive statistics were used to describe UOF methods and specific subject and incident details. Univariate and multivariate analysis was used to determine factors associated with subject and deputy injury. Results: 700 individuals were subjected to force. Subject mean age was 32, 77.6% were male, 22.4% resulted in subject injury and 7.7% resulted in deputy injury. 288 (41.1%) subjects were noted as suspected alcohol or substance use. Suspected alcohol or substance use was not associated with subject injury (p>0.05). Suspected alcohol or substance was marginally associated with less deputy injury (p=0.074). After controlling for other variables, suspected alcohol or substance use was associated with less deputy injury (OR=0.49; 95% CI=0.25, 0.99; p=0.046). Conclusion: Suspected alcohol or substance use does not appear to be associated with either non-lethal subject or deputy injury during UOF events.