When faced with violence, the police are expected to quickly conduct accurate threat assessments and respond with decisive, measured, and effective use of force. The foundation of this consistent, high-level performance is the ability to operate at the optimal level of arousal; that place between too relaxed and too amped up. Now a growing body...Read More
“It’s better to detect sinister intentions early than respond to violent actions late.” That blunt truth of survival, stated by Gavin de Becker, author of the bestseller The Gift of Fear, is the propelling theme of a new book that in 200 crisp pages captures the “blood and fire lessons” of a Marine Corps training...Read More
A new electronic publication that captures the essence of “best tactics” for handling a wide range of high-risk encounters in just 30 pages has been issued by the IACP’s National Law Enforcement Policy Center. It’s a handy resource for crafting refresher reviews for academy, in-service, and roll call training. The practices and procedures recommended in...Read More
Are some training exercises that focus on reaction time unintentionally compromising officer safety on the street? Two instructors raised that concern recently in separate presentations at the annual conference of the International Law Enforcement Educators & Trainers Assn. (ILEETA). Larry Hahn, a certified Force Science Analyst, told of detecting what seem to be unnaturally slow...Read More
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...Read More
“Startling revelations” about police performance in force encounters will be revealed shortly by representatives of the Force Science Research Center at a gathering of cognitive and behavioral scientists from throughout the world in Rome, Italy. The findings are expected to have “profound implications” for future law enforcement training, according to FSRC’s executive director, Dr. Bill...Read More
