Might calmative agents be a viable option for officers to safely and effectively respond to critical situations?
In April 2007, the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) convened a panel to discuss pursuing research on whether calmative agents — pharmaceuticals or sedative drugs that produce a calm or tranquil state[2] — might be an addition or alternative to law enforcement’s current less-lethal options. NIJ drew on experts from the scientific, toxicological and bioethical communities; civil rights and advocacy organizations; and the legal and law enforcement communities to form this community acceptance panel. The panel reached general consensus that law enforcement officers need additional less-lethal options and that pursuing new or updating existing research on the safety and viability of calmative agents was reasonable. Members agreed that further research would provide a better understanding of the options, shortcomings and issues surrounding calmative agents. It is important to note that the panel did not determine whether a tool could be developed, only that further research was an appropr
