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Less lethal weapons training in law enforcement

Proper practice, especially under stress, helps officers use these tools safely and effectively

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Editor’s note: The standard for excellence in public safety is changing. Lexipol is your partner in understanding how your agency measures up and setting a course to achieve performance excellence. Schedule a consultation with our team today to learn about our holistic approach built on Gordon Graham’s 5 Pillars of Organizational Success.

Futher, this Today’s Tip uses the common term “less lethal” to describe a class of control weapons and devices such as kinetic energy weapons, batons and OC spray. As the video stresses, any weapon can be lethal. For that reason, Lexipol’s policy guidance on control devices and weapons avoids the use of the term “less lethal.” However, we use it here because it is commonly used in the industry and to make the content more accessible via internet search.


In Today’s Tip, Gordon Graham emphasizes the importance of thorough training with less-lethal tools like OC spray and bean bags. Proper practice, especially under stress, helps officers use these tools safely and effectively, reducing risks and improving outcomes during high-pressure situations.

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Gordon Graham has been actively involved in law enforcement since 1973. He spent nearly 10 years as a very active motorcycle officer while also attending Cal State Long Beach to achieve his teaching credential, USC to do his graduate work in Safety and Systems Management with an emphasis on Risk Management, and Western State University to obtain his law degree. In 1982 he was promoted to sergeant and also admitted to the California State Bar and immediately opened his law offices in Los Angeles.