Force Science News

Training note: The Force Science Certification Course scheduled for San Jose, CA in December is now sold out. HOWEVER, registrations are still being taken for active law enforcement personnel for the course scheduled for Oct. 17-21, 2011 in the Greater Toronto, Ontario area. To register or for details on the class, the location and a recommended hotel please e-mail: training@forcescience.org.

Should ER docs be required to report suspected cases of police brutality? Controversy flares over what’s needed

A resounding clash between researchers has erupted over the question of whether emergency room doctors should report suspected cases of excessive force by LEOs. Read the rest of this entry »

Recent developments in post-OIS procedures: Tales of 3 cities

1. Chicago officers win right to 24-hr. “grace period”

An arbitrator has ruled that Chicago officers involved in shootings can wait at least 24 hours before having to give a recorded statement to investigators from the municipal agency that reviews police shootings.

Read the rest of this entry »

In this edition:

I. Experience speaks: Yours thoughts on stemming the grim KIA tide

II. FSN welcomes Ocean Springs, MS Police Dept. Read the rest of this entry »

It’s a bloody year for cops so far.

At the end of June, total duty-related fatalities in the U.S. are up 8% compared to the same time last year, according to preliminary figures from the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. Officer murders from gunfire are spiking an alarming 38% increase. If trends hold through the second half of the year, we could see the worst annual toll in a decade.

What behavioral factors may be influencing this disturbing surge—and, specifically, what can you do right now to best avoid becoming one of the grim statistics? Read the rest of this entry »

Editor’s note: CONGRATULATIONS to the 63 outstanding students who graduated from the most recent Force Science Certification Course! Following in the footsteps of prior graduates, this group, representing 40 agencies from 13 states and provinces, greatly impressed us with their energy, dedication and enthusiasm. We’re proud to count them among the elite group of Certified Force Science Analysts worldwide. A special thanks to the training team at Hillsboro, OR Police Department who proved to be outstanding hosts! Click here to see the remaining 2011 schedule.

In this edition:

I. “Current training may leave officers more vulnerable”: Early highlights from forthcoming FSI assessment project

II. New nat’l reports underscore Taser safety for cops, suspects alike

III. Survivors speak: A different view on police suicide

IV. Long working hours again tied to heart disease in latest study

V. Verbal Judo founder Dr. George Thompson dies at 69

VI. Additional clarification on reaction-time study Read the rest of this entry »