Criminologist Dr. Rick Parent examines the phenomenon of victim-precipitated homicide in his dissertation, entitled "Aspects of Police Use of Deadly Force in North America: The Phenomenon of Victim-Precipitated Homicide".  His previous research analyses 58 documented incidents in which police officers were confronted by a potentially lethal threat. In 27 of these incidents, police responded by discharging their firearms and killing 28 people. Roughly half of these cases are victim-precipitated homicide. In the remaining 31 cases, police responded with less lethal force. Parent's recent research (2004) analyses 843 documented cases in the United States & Canada where police have discharged their firearms typically while facing a lethal threat.

 

"In some of these cases, police were confronted in a calculated and deliberate manner by people who were suffering from one, or a combination of, suicidal tendencies, mental illness, and substance abuse." At times, victims cause or contribute to a police shooting intentionally or unintentionally provoking police, he adds. "In many cases, suicidal individuals have engaged in life threatening behavior in order to force the police to kill them."

 

“It is our responsibility to help our soldiers and civilians understand how to identify at-risk individuals, recognize warning signs and know how to take direct action.” 

                          General Eric K. Shinseki, Army Chief of Staff

 

About the Researcher: Rick Parent is a 25-year serving police officer in the Vancouver area and a former instructor at the Justice Institute of British Columbia – Police Academy. Rick holds a Masters degree and a Doctoral degree (Ph.D.) from Simon Fraser University, School of Criminology.  His academic training and research has focused upon police use of deadly force including the phenomenon of “victim-precipitated homicide” and “suicide by cop”. 

 

    In September 1999, Rick provided a brief account of his research at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia.  In November 1999, Rick was awarded the Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Meritorious Service in recognition of the academic research that he has conducted in relation to police use of deadly force.

    Rick has testified in court, as an expert witness in the area of police shootings.  He has also provided expert opinion to attorneys in the United States and Canada in regards to fatal police shootings within their jurisdiction.  In addition, he has provided assistance to police personnel investigating fatal and non-fatal police shootings in Australia, Canada, and the United States.

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Posted by Shelle Michaels on Jun 3 2007, With 0 Reads, Filed under 9/11. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

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