The Misunderstanding About Police Numbers in Arrests

A lot of people complain that police training “isn’t good enough.” In some cases that may be true, but much of it comes down to budgets — officers can only train to the level their resources allow. But one of the biggest public misunderstandings is the sight of several officers restraining a single individual. To the outside, it looks excessive. In reality, it’s about safety.

The more officers present, the less force each one needs to use. That means the suspect is less likely to be injured, and so are the officers. One officer alone wrestling with a resisting person often leads to more violence, more escalation, and a higher risk of harm. But when four or five officers move together, each can control a part of the body, secure the person quickly, and end the situation calmly.

What looks like “too many” officers is usually the safest and most efficient way to make an arrest. Numbers don’t mean aggression — they mean protection: protection of the public, the officers, and most importantly, the suspect themselves.

— Sensei Liam Musiak