Into the Kill Zone: A Cop's Eye View of Deadly Force

by David Klinger

What's it like to have the legal sanction to shoot and kill? This compelling and often startling book answers this, and many other questions about the oft-times violent world inhabited by our nation's police officers. Written by a cop-turned university professor who interviewed scores of officers who have shot people in the course of their duties, Into the Kill Zone presents firsthand accounts of the role that deadly force plays in American police work. This brilliantly written book tells how novice officers are trained to think about and use the power they have over life and death, explains how cops live with the awesome responsibility that comes from the barrels of their guns, reports how officers often hold their fire when they clearly could have shot, presents hair-raising accounts of what it's like to be involved in shoot-outs, and details how shooting someone affects officers who pull the trigger. From academy training to post-shooting reactions, this book tells the compelling story of the role that extreme violence plays in the lives of America's cops.

Genres: Nonfiction, War, Psychology, Police, Crime, American, Cultural Studies

289 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Stuart Bobb · Rating 4 out of 5]

This isn't typically the kind of book I would read - but Malcom Gladwell's references to it in "Blink" sent me sniffing about and Kindle made it way too easy to grab and go.

The book is about police officers involved in the use of deadly force. Most of the book is arranged as collections of first person accounts, gleaned from some 70+ officers involved in shootings, near shootings, etc. Some are cop as victims or, more commonly, as shooters. Quite a range of reactions. Some (typically SWAT types) describe their stories as though they had been called out to deal with a particularly stupid, but still rabid dog. They "put a cap in 'em" and call it a day. Other officers develop stress disorders that go on to ruin their lives for years as a consequence of the shootings they were in.

The number of people that effectively commit "suicide by cop" is pretty high and it is very hard on the officers, even when the suspect leaves them no option. Don't know if I would recommend it, but it was intriguing reading.

Also, if some recent headline makes you wonder what all went on that somebody ended up being shot by a LEO this is a book to give you a ton of context - all from the side wearing the badge, of course. Most surprising to me is just how incredibly dangerous a knife can be in the hands of somebody that really knows what to do with one - even from what would seem like a very safe distance.

It also gives context on what officers are trained to do and why they are trained that way. For example, LEOs are really big on controlling their weapon. They know that a huge amount of the time that if they lose control of that gun, it will be used to shoot them. So, when some loon tries to take their gun, it is usually interpreted as an attack on their life, and they will probably respond accordingly. You and I might see it as "they were only trying to disarm him" - but statistics and his training says "they intended to murder me". No wonder his reaction won't match our expectation.

[Cortney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fairly easy read. interesting topic.

[TΞΞL❍CK Mith!lesh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Administering fatal justice is an unfortunate aspect associated with security work; fortunately, this guide exists to provide coping skills for instances where deadly force was necessitated. The internal operations documented by a retired policeman reveal the exact rate at which deadly encounters with cops occur. The book has startling statistics, but anyone with a security occupation should not be sheltered from the unfiltered facts.

[Reepacheep · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was one of several resources recommended by CorneredCat autheror Kathy Jackson in her article "Lethal Force Aftermath".

After reading the book I was pleasantly surprised at in spite of the serious subject matter the book itself was pleasant reading. I would recommend this to anyone considering a career in law enforcement or considering a firearm for home or self defense. It was very educational to see what goes through a police officers mind when in a shooting situation, whether or not shots are actually fired--and then to see what happens afterward, both in the follow-up investigations and in the officers' personal lives.

[Edward · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am not a fan of the vignette format, almost started the book skipping over large chunks. I slowed down and got caught up the in stories about how the officers interviewed decided to become police officers, and kept a steady pace through the end of the book. Some compelling stories, definitely kept my interest.

[Luke · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm glad I'm not a cop

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

A narrative portrait of officers faced with the decision to shoot or not to shoot, and the consequences both physically and psychologically of their actions.

[Gwendolyn White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Into the Kill Zone by David Klinger was a great read. The author, Klinger, is a former officer who was involved in a shooting while on duty. He now teaches Criminal Justice at a collegiate level. It was a very thrilling and interesting read, as I loved hearing the side that we do not always hear, the officer’s side and how it personally impacted them instead of the suspect. It showed readers how shootings can mentally and physically impact officers. Klinger’s book provided a great insight into the way that law enforcement is affected in the event of a shooting and what all they go through in the process before, during, and after the shooting.

This book went in different categories. It starts with how many officers feel inclined to join law enforcement and also what exactly caused them or urged them to join. It then moves into the different academy experiences that many of the officers he interviewed experienced and how that made an impact on their readiness for the actual job and the shootings they each were involved in. Next, the stories differed between the officers who were forced to shoot and those who waited to an almost dangerous level to decide to hold their fire because they believed the individual was harmless and not trying to hurt them or anyone else. Klinger also discussed how the media portrays shootings in an entirely different light than they usually happen, oftentimes affecting the officer negatively or shining law enforcement in a bad light. The book ended with the impact that occurs on the officers and their families, and how they were negatively affected by the shooting or what led up to/came from it.

Klinger’s book did a wonderful job of showing shootings from the officer’s point of view, rather than how the media portrays the shootings, focusing on why they made that decision and how it affected them personally. This book allows the reader to give those within the stories humanity, turning them into real people, people that we each know, care for, and look up to. The book did a great job of allowing the readers to get that much needed perspective. Although I know officers are not always justified within their shootings and they can do bad things and accidents can happen as well, I believe that every individual in this book did the right thing to make sure they got home to their friends and family. I believe every story in this book proved that it was either them or the suspect, or between an innocent individual or the suspect. Thus, justifying their decision to pull the trigger. I greatly enjoyed this book. Being close to many law enforcement officers, I will always hold a special place for them in my heart and it helps me to know that there are books and other media stories that do not always portray the officer in a bad light, and that justify the officer’s actions because either themselves or another individual was in immediate, fatal danger. I also really liked how the author brought into the book how officers are affected after the shooting has occurred, that many are mentally scarred for the rest of their lives because of what they had to do, and how it negatively impacts them, while some officers deal with it easier because they know they did the right thing, many of them still struggle with the knowledge that they took someone’s life and I think that needs to be addressed more as shown in this book.

In conclusion, I would most definitely recommend this book to everyone I know, even if you do not always agree with law enforcement or what they do I believe this could give a reader that has those opinions a different insight as to why many officers do what they do. I would also recommend this book to those thinking about joining the family of law enforcement as it provides a great insight into the nitty gritty of what the job actual entails, not just the fun stuff. The different short stories within the book made it very easy to stay involved and interested as it was not a single, long, drawn-out story that seemed to take forever to get to the climax, they all were relatively short and to the point with short explanations of the chapter in between the different areas for those readers who enjoy books like that.

[Motorcycle Tourist · Rating 3 out of 5]

In America, there’s a social compact: We demand protection so we give police the power to use lethal force, but we also fear for our freedoms, so we demand that they use this awesome power judiciously. It is amazing that that police put their lives on the line, despite the fact that they know they will be criticized and second-guessed, and know that there is a good chance they will suffer for what they have done.

This book is a collection of interviews from 80 officers from 19 different departments who had been involved with shootings. There are more than 750,000 police officers in the US who have tens of millions of interactions with citizens every year. Police shootings are very rare; less than one half of one percent of officers ever shoot anyone. This seems at odds with the depictions of police on TV and with the pronouncements of activists who are more interested in promoting themselves than an honest accounting of matters.

Police are trained that they can lawfully shoot only in defense of life and to stop the flight of felony suspects. The purpose of deadly force is not to kill, but to stop the threat. There is a common misunderstanding that officers are trained to “shoot to kill”. Officers are trained to shoot “center mass” to reduce the likelihood that bullets will miss their target. Death is a by-product, not the intended purpose, since center mass has vital organs. The use of deadly force does NOT require an actual deadly threat before the officer fires, but only that the officer REASONABLY believed that it was present.

… The vast majority of shootings involve a separation of only a few yards (many less than an arm’s length) and only last a few seconds.
… Knives are very deadly, don’t relax b/c you have a gun. In one story the bad guy had a knife 12 feet away. The officer put 4 bullets center mass, and the guy dropped at his feet.
… BEFORE: Watch suspect’s hands, keep your distance, use vocal commands, get substantial cover, or kneel, return fire, change positions, reload. AFTER: Preserve the scene. Do not talk to anyone.
… Voice Commands: “Let me see your hands”, “Turn around, get up against the wall hands-up”, “Get on the ground”, “Nobody’s hurt yet, show me your hands”
… if you’re sure you hit center mass and nothing happens, think body armor; adjust aim points.
… If hiding, put shoes sticking out as a distraction.

[Jessica]

Recommended by Kathy Jackson on The Cornered Cat's good books list:

This book is a heavy dose of sober reality as it appears to dozens of police officers who have killed people in the line of duty. Klinger draws a few conclusions, but mostly lets the officers tell their stories in their own words. While this is not light or easy reading, it promotes honest thought and provides a good and necessary reminder of exactly what it is you intend to happen when you pull the trigger. Not a good first book, but perhaps a necessary one for honest balance once you have accepted the burden of being armed for self-defense.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book because it was mentioned an Malcolm Gladwell's "Blink" and it is pretty good. It gives another account of police shootings through the officers eyes rather than the news media lens or the activist lens.

This is a very good read and counterbalances Rise of the Warrior Cop.

I definitely recommend this book

[Alice Chau-Ginguene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible eye opener to police work, particularly on the use of deadly force. I now won't be quick to judge any police shooting anymore. There is so much more to it than what the newspaper tells you about police shooting. Fascinating read.

[Akshay Gahlaut · Rating 4 out of 5]

So you don't exactly know what's happening when you are there in a shootout.

[Bryon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book after I had dinner with the author at the NIJ conference in Washington, DC. I had intended to publish a review for him, but never got around to finishing the book. It is very insightful. It is the popular read of Klinger's NIJ-funded study of law enforcement deadly force as revealed through in-depth interviews and ethnographic research.

I don't particularly enjoy the book, because its subject matter is heavy and at times difficult to read because of the verbatim transcriptions. Still, it is excellent work...

[David Freas · Rating 3 out of 5]

An honest look at what happens to police officers who shoot and kill people and officers who are shot. What they go through before and after they pull the trigger ain't like the movies and TV, baby. The taking of a life is never easy and the ramifications and repercussions linger long after the incident is forgotten by others.

[kel · Rating 4 out of 5]

amazing examples of what it's like in the crosshairs

[Kennedy Camp]

Into The Kill Zone by David Klinger is a compelling novel about violent force in law enforcement. Klinger, a Los Angeles Police Department veteran, uses his personal experiences and those of other officers to create an informative yet slightly suspenseful novel over the use of deadly force. Readers are supposed to walk away from this book with more knowledge of police work and how actual officers view their line of duty.
Klinger begins the book interviewing officers on what made them decide law enforcement was for them. Many come from a law enforcement family and feel it is their duty to carry on the tradition. Next, the book covers academy experiences each interviewee had. Each experience was different but they all shared common ground- each officer was informed on the use of violence and asked if they are aware they could lose their life on duty. Next, Klinger shares officer’s stories of holding their fire in situations and times when they had to shoot. Each officer reacted differently to the fact they took a life; some feeling nothing at all, others quitting police work all together. The officer’s post-shooting coping mechanisms were covered toward the end of the book, some were fine after following state and department required counseling and others needed greater aid.
Reading about shootings from the officer’s point of view is refreshing. Typically, we see police work as filtered through the media, but this book is a raw example of what officer’s really experience. I enjoyed seeing the different challenges each officer faced and the way they handle situations with only seconds to make a decision. Klinger also explains each officer related term within the book well, even providing a glossary at the back of the book for those of us unaware of terms specific to law enforcement. However, the vignette format made the book difficult to follow in the beginning.
I very much enjoyed this book; I do not read often but this is a book was hard to put down. The book was not interesting the entire time, but I recommend this book to anyone interested in understanding the struggles of law enforcement. I would HIGHLY recommend this novel for any in law enforcement or considering law enforcement as it is informative and relatable.