On Oct 5, 2010 Phoenix Police Officer Richard Chrisman was involved in an on duty use of force incident while dealing with a hostile suspect at an emergency traffic call of a domestic violence in progress. As the situation unfolded and officers attempted to effect an arrest, less than lethal force options (OC spray and Taser) were employed with minimal effect on the suspect. The suspect continued to act aggressively towards officers which ultimately led to the use of deadly force by Officer Chrisman for the safety of both officers on the scene.
Phoenix Police Department management in concert with an overzealous County Attorney rushed to book a police officer into jail on criminal charges before all the facts were known.
PLEA in concert with Rich’s criminal defense attorney retained the services of Dr. William Lewinski of the prestigious Force Science Research Institute. Dr. Lewinski is a nationally and internationally acclaimed researcher and expert on the scientific analysis of the behavioral and physical components of police use of force. Over the years Dr. Lewinski has testified in numerous high profile police use of force cases in the US and abroad.
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